pervade

verb

per·​vade pər-ˈvād How to pronounce pervade (audio)
pervaded; pervading

transitive verb

: to become diffused throughout every part of

Did you know?

English speakers borrowed pervade in the mid-17th century from Latin pervadere, meaning "to go through." Pervadere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix per-, meaning "through," with the verb vadere, meaning "to go." Synonyms of pervade include permeate, impregnate, and saturate. Pervade stresses a spreading diffusion throughout every part of a whole ("art and music pervade every aspect of their lives"). Permeate implies diffusion specifically throughout a material thing ("the smell of freshly baked bread permeated the house"). Impregnate suggests a forceful influence or effect on something throughout ("impregnate the cotton with alcohol"). Saturate is used when nothing more may be taken up or absorbed ("the cloth is saturated with water").

Examples of pervade in a Sentence

A feeling of great sadness pervades the film. Art and music pervade every aspect of their lives.
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.
Pessimism pervades Kyiv and Washington about Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as President Volodymr Zelensky tries to steer his country through the war's third winter. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 The drama is largely relational, as the Koubek brothers and their paramours wrestle with the conventions that pervade their lives. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024 Though younger voters are generally more left-leaning than older ones, the antiwar protests that pervaded college campuses this year demonstrated just how frustrated many young voters are with the Democratic establishment’s approach to the war in Gaza. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 The concurrent exhibitions will honor the enduring Spanish influences that pervade The Palm Beaches, especially in Boca Raton, where the city's Spanish Colonial Revival aesthetic upholds the legacy of architect Addison Mizner. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pervade 

Word History

Etymology

Latin pervadere to go through, pervade, from per- through + vadere to go — more at per-, wade

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pervade was in 1659

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Dictionary Entries Near pervade

Cite this Entry

“Pervade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pervade. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pervade

verb
per·​vade pər-ˈvād How to pronounce pervade (audio)
pervaded; pervading
: to spread through all parts of : permeate

More from Merriam-Webster on pervade

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