What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infiltration
Example
The spy's mission was to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters and gather information. [infiltrate: verb]
Example
The infiltration of water into the soil is essential for plant growth. [infiltration: noun]
incursion
Example
The army made an incursion into the enemy's territory and destroyed their weapons. [incursion: noun]
Example
The paparazzi made an incursion into the celebrity's private property to take pictures. [incursion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infiltration is more commonly used than incursion in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts beyond military or security situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infiltration and incursion?
Infiltration is generally considered more formal than incursion, which is often used in news headlines or sensationalized media reports.