1
2
as in to join
to become a member of patriotic young men and women entering the armed services debutantes entering society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to record
to put (someone or something) on a list new voters fill out a form and elections officials enter their names into the database

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to receive
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the club enters only five new members a year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enter are penetrate, pierce, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

Where would penetrate be a reasonable alternative to enter?

While the synonyms penetrate and enter are close in meaning, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When can pierce be used instead of enter?

Although the words pierce and enter have much in common, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When is it sensible to use probe instead of enter?

In some situations, the words probe and enter are roughly equivalent. However, probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example 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 enter In the wake of three-point shooting forward Duncan Robinson’s decision to exercise the early-termination in his contract for next season to become an unrestricted free agent, the Miami Heat enters free agency with a bit of flexibility to improve its roster despite nearly having a full roster. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025 By entering the Billboard 200 at No. 8, KPop Demon Hunters becomes the highest-charting soundtrack since Wicked ranked No. 8 on the chart dated Jan. 25, on its way down from its No. 2 peak. Paul Grein, Billboard, 1 July 2025 Scott discusses what could be behind that decision, coming as the Cavs enter 2025-26 with the second-strongest NBA championship odds. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025 The West Coast schedule continues with a final game against the Seattle Storm, winners of back-to-back games entering Sunday, on Tuesday before the Fever head back home. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for enter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter
Verb
  • The 12-Day War saw Israeli fighters penetrate deep inside Iranian airspace with little to no resistance, including non-stealthy fourth-generation fighters like F-16s.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • According to its manufacturer, Boeing, the Harpoon Block II missile is armed with a 500-pound penetrating high-explosive warhead and is capable of striking ships more than 77 miles away.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Nikki Glaser, Tyra Banks, Jenna Lyons, Michael Kors, Zac Posen also join the mix this year as well as Abbott Elementary stars Chris Perfetti and Lisa Ann Walter who will be making an appearance to kick off one of the challenges.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Bobcats will be in the Sun Belt for the final year this fall before joining Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State in the next edition of the Pac-12.
    Erik Buchinger, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • The southpaw has appeared in 35 games this season and recorded 14 saves for the Red Sox.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Some users received an email or postcard with a claim identification code and confirmation code that can be used to make the claim.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • At the maximum dose of 2.4 milligrams, 92.8% of people lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with 14% of people receiving placebo injections.
    Rachel Fieldhouse, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Aflac, which provides home and life insurance for more than 50 million policyholders, disclosed last week that cybercriminals were able to breach the company’s U.S. network and may have accessed customers’ personal data including Social Security numbers.
    John Kell, Fortune, 25 June 2025
  • The second bedroom, meanwhile, is accessed by a wooden ladder and again has space for a double bed.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The jets rejoined into a formation of four, pitching out to land right over the base — a landing Caine said was greeted by incredible cheers and tears from the families who sacrifice and serve right alongside the pilots.
    Salena Zito, Boston Herald, 3 July 2025
  • Casting for Meet the Parents 4 is well underway, with Owen Wilson the latest star to rejoin the franchise with Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Teri Polo in the upcoming film that also has Ariana Grande on board.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Silky sharks are listed under CITES Appendix II and are considered globally vulnerable.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The building is listed at $2.49 million, a drop from its original price of $2.9 million.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • She was found on the ground near the lifeguard stand with an umbrella stake that had pierced the front of her left shoulder and was sticking out the back of her arm by about 1 foot, Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy told ABC News.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 25 June 2025
  • The scepter pierced the ground of the Huanacaure mountain, and so rose the glimmering empire of Cuzco.
    Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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