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 Stories of Pokémon kidnapping and forcefully impregnating women sparked shock within the community, and many, many memes. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Isobel, River’s mother (played by Anna Wilson-Jones) was taken and impregnated by Harkness at Les Arbres. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Oct. 2024 The Democratic convention heard from Hadley Duvall, who at age 12 was raped and impregnated by her stepfather. Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2024 Or in Kentucky, Hadley Duvall, a twelve year old child raped and impregnated by her stepfather. Stefan Becket, CBS News, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impregnate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impregnate
Verb
  • The Rooms: There are six bedrooms, including two primary suites on opposing sides of the villa, each with balconies, outdoor showers, and soaking tubs overlooking the bay.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Photo : William Myers for Sotheby’s International Realty A vintage-style soaking tub.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Flooding could saturate the earth above and around it.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Per serving: 516 calories (31 percent from fat), 17.5 g fat (2.2 g saturated, 8.1 g monounsaturated), 110 mg cholesterol, 42.5 g protein, 54.8 g carbohydrates, 6.5 g fiber, 335 mg sodium.
    Tribune News Service, The Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Downtown flooding became a regularity, including a deadly flood in August 1998 in which two boys drowned.
    Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The initial victim was Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones who drowned in his swimming pool in 1969.
    Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The corn and honey cake is similar to your favorite corn bread, dense, gritty and full of corn flavor drenched in honey.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The mussels are fatty, drenched in garlicky, spicy tomato sauce and served with warm, thick slices of Grand Central Bakery's campagnolo loaf, sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
    Meira Gebel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Made in France, Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur is made using 26 botanicals sourced from various locations, which are macerated and distilled in small batches to preserve the original recipe and maintain quality.
    Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The distillation involves macerating the botanicals and distilling them in small batches, ensuring the quality and consistency of each bottle.
    Rachel King, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near impregnate

Cite this Entry

“Impregnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impregnate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on impregnate

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