exfiltrate

verb

ex·​fil·​trate eks-ˈfil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce exfiltrate (audio)
ˈeks-(ˌ)fil-
exfiltrated; exfiltrating

transitive verb

1
: to remove (someone) furtively from a hostile area
Kublinski avoided detection. He was exfiltrated from Poland, with his family, only after being compromised by a leak from the U.S. government.—Radek Sikorski
2
: to steal (sensitive data) from a computer (as with a flash drive)

intransitive verb

: to escape from a hostile area
exfiltration
ˌeks-(ˌ)fil-ˈtrā-shən How to pronounce exfiltrate (audio)
noun

Examples of exfiltrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is a bot that, if unleashed, might be able to hack into banks, exfiltrate state secrets, and fry crucial infrastructure. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026 When the airman was found, he was taken to two MC-130J aircraft that were waiting nearby to exfiltrate him out of the country. — Richard Hall, Time, 6 Apr. 2026 Helicopters were called in to exfiltrate the extraction force, while fighter aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft provided overhead coverage and suppressive fire. — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026 In previous research, an older version of ChatGPT attempted to self-exfiltrate itself onto another drive when it was told it was being shut down. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exfiltrate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from exfiltration, from ex- entry 1 + (in)filtration

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exfiltrate was in 1947

Rhymes for exfiltrate

See All Rhymes for exfiltrate

Browse Nearby Words

ex-fiancée
exfiltrate
exflagellant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exfiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exfiltrate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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