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- pronunciation:
- pe
n
treIt
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb)
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
penetrates, penetrating, penetrated |
| definition 1: |
to pierce or go into or through; enter or pass through the interior of.
He jumped a little when the needle penetrated his skin.The explorers penetrated the jungle.- synonyms:
- enter, pierce
- similar words:
- bore, cleave, puncture, spike, transfix
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| definition 2: |
to enter into and spread widely throughout.
Christianity eventually penetrated the entire region.- synonyms:
- impregnate, interpenetrate, permeate, transfuse
- similar words:
- fill, imbue, infiltrate, invade, osmose, overrun, pervade, saturate, suffuse
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| definition 3: |
to make a deep impression on (the mind, feelings, or the like).
Pangs of guilt penetrated his soul.- synonyms:
- pierce, prick
- similar words:
- impress, stab, stir, strike, suffuse
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| definition 4: |
to see through, perceive, or understand (something hidden or complicated).
His eyes couldn't penetrate the fog.I easily penetrated her disguise.Scientists penetrated the secrets of the atom.- synonyms:
- fathom
- similar words:
- decipher, deduce, discern, grasp, master, solve, unravel, untangle
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| related words: |
comprehend, enter, fathom, knife, overrun, probe, see, stick |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to pierce or go into or through something; pass into or through an interior area.
The needle penetrates easily.- synonyms:
- enter, pierce
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| definition 2: |
to enter into and spread throughout something.
This skin cream penetrates deeply.Christianity penetrated into the territory.- synonyms:
- permeate, soak
- similar words:
- interpenetrate, osmose, seep, spread
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| definition 3: |
to make a deep impression on the mind or feelings; be recognized or grasped as true or important.
The significance of his remark didn't penetrate until later.- synonyms:
- make a dent
- similar words:
- impress, register, sink in, soak
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| related words: |
enter, knife, probe |
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| derivation: |
penetrator (n.) |
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