Advertisement

View synonyms for penetrate

penetrate

[ pen-i-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.
  1. to pierce or pass into or through:

    The bullet penetrated the wall. The fog lights penetrated the mist.

  2. to enter the interior of:

    to penetrate a forest.

  3. to enter and diffuse itself through; permeate.
  4. to arrive at the truth or meaning of; understand; comprehend:

    to penetrate a mystery.

    Synonyms: discern, fathom

  5. to obtain a share of (a market):

    to penetrate the Canadian coffee market.

  6. to affect or impress (the mind or feelings) deeply.

    Synonyms: touch

  7. to extend influence, usually peacefully, into the affairs of (another country).


verb (used without object)

, pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.
  1. to enter, reach, or pass through something, as by piercing:

    We penetrated to the interior of the Kasbah.

  2. to be diffused through something.
  3. to understand or read the meaning of something.
  4. to have a deep effect or impact on someone.

penetrate

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪt /

verb

  1. to find or force a way into or through (something); pierce; enter
  2. to diffuse through (a substance); permeate
  3. tr to see through

    their eyes could not penetrate the fog

  4. tr (of a man) to insert the penis into the vagina of (a woman)
  5. tr to grasp the meaning of (a principle, etc)
  6. intr to be understood

    his face lit up as the new idea penetrated

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈpenetrably, adverb
  • ˈpenetrative, adjective
  • ˈpenetrable, adjective
  • ˈpeneˌtrator, noun
  • ˌpenetraˈbility, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • pene·trator noun
  • pre·pene·trate verb (used with object) prepenetrated prepenetrating
  • un·pene·trated adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate1

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin penetrātus “entered the interior of,” past participle of penetrāre “to enter the interior of,” from penet-, variant stem of penitus “deep down” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix, with the vowel change and addition of -r- probably by analogy with intus “inside,” intrāre “to enter” ( enter ( def ) )
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate1

C16: from Latin penetrāre; related to penitus inner, and penus the interior of a house
Discover More

Synonym Study

See pierce.
Discover More

Example Sentences

After surveying the city-owned portion of the peninsula, Cabrera Services found 10 areas with elevated levels of gamma radiation — powerful electromagnetic energy that can penetrate human tissue and damage cells.

Not long before she took the stand, the last of the 50 defendants, Philippe L, said he had been "surprised" by the situation when Dominique Pelicot had welcomed him into his home and insisted that he penetrate Gisèle Pelicot.

From BBC

These early Aboriginal communities used fire to penetrate and modify dense, wet forest for their own use -- as indicated by a sudden increase in charcoal accumulated in ancient mud 41,600 years ago.

This is because fine particles can penetrate through lungs and affect organs.

From BBC

“The abortion argument did not penetrate at all with non-college educated women, did not move them an inch. And they lost ground with Latinos,” Mr Smith said.

From BBC

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement