Synonym Chooser

How is the word impregnate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of impregnate are drench, saturate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could drench be used to replace impregnate?

While in some cases nearly identical to impregnate, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When might saturate be a better fit than impregnate?

The words saturate and impregnate can be used in similar contexts, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to impregnate?

While the synonyms soak and impregnate are close in meaning, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

In what contexts can steep take the place of impregnate?

In some situations, the words steep and impregnate are roughly equivalent. However, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

Examples 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 impregnate The production designer was referencing an early film in his career, a comedy headlined by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston in which the former ruins the sperm sample the latter intends to use to impregnate herself, forcing him to supply his own specimen in its stead. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2024 With her husband’s cooperation, a coven of Devil-worshipping ghouls occupy an Upper West Side apartment building and conspire to have a young woman Rosemary (Mia Farrow) raped and impregnated by Satan himself. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024 Other kinds of solar filters are made from dark polymer resin impregnated with carbon black. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 This hanger-on dates her, impregnates her, then bores her to tears. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impregnate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impregnate
Verb
  • Think cloud-like beds, balconies that hover over the ocean, soaking tubs meant for two, and roomy showers with windows that overlook the ocean.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Couples treatments here are not to be missed; a lavish duet suite boasts side-by-side soaking tubs and treatment tables.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Make sure that the soil around the cutting stays moist, but not saturated, in the months to come.
    Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
  • These works are saturated with symbols of a more traditional ideal of elite femininity.
    Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Now that his presidency has ended and the conservative right is back at the helm, what does that mean for student loan borrowers that are drowning in debt? Dr. Sonia Lewis, founder of student loan debt consultancy The Student Loan Doctor, says that now is the time to get informed…and quickly.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But the halfway treatment in this case feels like keeping the bath water and drowning the baby.
    Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • On Friday, Paris’ Hotel de Guise was drenched in the house’s signature fabrics, wall coverings and its very first in-house furniture collection, which debuted during the five-day Paris Deco Off interior design event that closes Sunday.
    Sofia Celeste, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Amika Mota was drenched, bone-tired, and shaking after her first-ever pump and roll, a fire-fighting technique where the fire truck creeps toward the blaze as personnel wield the massive hose alongside it.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Winemaker Carlo Ferrini’s blend is of 50% Cab, 40% Merlot and 10% Carménère, fermented in cement tanks, macerated for 15 to 18 days then aged in Slovenian and French barrels for six months, softening the wine.
    John Mariani, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • For an elevated dessert, drizzle over vanilla ice cream and top with cut or macerated strawberries or peaches.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near impregnate

Cite this Entry

“Impregnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impregnate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impregnate

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