Synonyms of penetrate

penetrate

verb

ˈpe-nə-ˌtrāt 

as in to pierce

to go or come in or into

a needle penetrated the heavy canvas only with great effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pierce
• enter
• access
• invade
• set foot in
• step into
• burst (in or into)
• infiltrate
• breeze (in)
• encroach
• drop in
• pop (in)
• intrude
• trespass
• stray (into)
• waltz (in)
• infringe
• wander (into)
• barge (in)
• gate-crash
• crash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• depart
• exit

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

Recent Examples of penetrate

As with bone-conduction designs, the ear canal is free to allow ambient sounds to penetrate, so users remain aware of what's going on around them. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025

His head coach, Andy Reid, said that kind of talk didn’t really penetrate the bubble around the team until the questions started coming during the week of the game. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Though the bullets did not penetrate the windows, the sound of gunfire brought multiple officers to the hallways leading into the lobby area. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2025

During the cool, wet winter months, the elements responded by curling upwards, allowing ample sunlight to penetrate the building. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025