Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Penetrate

//ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to pierce.

    "Light penetrates darkness."

  2. 2
    become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions wordnet
  3. 3
    To achieve understanding of, despite some obstacle; to comprehend; to understand. figuratively

    "I could not penetrate Burke's opaque rhetoric."

  4. 4
    come to understand wordnet
  5. 5
    To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to move deeply.

    "to penetrate one's heart with pity"

Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance wordnet
  2. 7
    To infiltrate an enemy to gather intelligence.
  3. 8
    spread or diffuse through wordnet
  4. 9
    To insert the penis into an orifice, such as a vagina, mouth, or anus.

    "a male elephant comes up and penetrates the female"

  5. 10
    insert the penis into the vagina or anus of wordnet
  6. 11
    To move a piece past the defending pieces of one's opponent.
  7. 12
    make one's way deeper into or through wordnet
  8. 13
    enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members wordnet

Etymology

From Latin penētrātus, perfect passive participle of penētrō (“to put, set, or place within, enter, pierce, penetrate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from penes (“within, with”) by analogy to intrō (“to go in, enter”). Compare French pénétrer.

See also for "penetrate"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: penetrate