Synonym Chooser

How does the verb penetrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of penetrate are enter, pierce, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When would enter be a good substitute for penetrate?

The words enter and penetrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is pierce a more appropriate choice than penetrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to penetrate, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When can probe be used instead of penetrate?

The synonyms probe and penetrate are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of penetrate By aligning with buzzy properties like The White Lotus, the brand positions itself within conversations that traditional advertising can’t penetrate. Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 The exterior membrane of a dunnart ovum, which is about 0.2 millimetres in diameter, turns out to be very difficult to penetrate, Ord explained. D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 No matter the irrigation method, always water until the water penetrates all the way down to plant roots. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025 Since most boar spears had cross-guard features near the spearhead, this was often used to trigger the gun once the spear had penetrated the prey. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penetrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrate
Verb
  • To get an empty eggshell, pierce small holes on either end of a fresh, raw egg with a needle and gently blow the contents out into a bowl.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Wolf, Puss in Boots’s big villain, had piercing red eyes; Sinners’s villain Remmick (Jack O’Connell) has piercing red eyes.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And that’s a parting advice from Anis to anyone looking to enter the space.
    Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Startups are entering this space with innovations in biology, data, and personalized health.
    Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Incentives for safe operators: Policyholders are able to access discounts for safe driving, business experience, military service, and owner-operator status.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Once the door opens, further attempts will be made to access the U.S. market.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Penetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on penetrate

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