enter

1 of 2

verb

en·ter ˈen-tər

entered; entering ˈen-t(ə-)riŋ

Synonyms of enter next

intransitive verb

: to go or come in

: to come or gain admission into a group : join

—often used with into

: to make a beginning

entering upon a career

: to begin to consider a subject

—usually used with into or upon

: to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession

: to come onstage

—usually used in the subjunctive as a stage direction

enter Hamlet reading

: to come into a preestablished situation or context like an actor coming onstage

—usually used in the subjunctive

enter the new principal with her radical ideas

: to play a part : be a factor

other considerations enter when money is involved

transitive verb

: to come or go into

enter a room

: inscribe, register

enter the names of qualified voters

: to cause to be received or admitted

enter a child at a school

: to put in : insert

enter the new data into the computer

: to make a beginning in

enter politics

: to go into (a particular period of time)

enter middle age

: to become a member of or an active participant in

enter the university

enter a race

: to make report of (a ship or its cargo) to customs authorities

: to place in proper form before a court of law or upon record

enter a writ

: to go into or upon and take actual possession of (something, such as land)

: to put formally on record

entering a complaint

enterable

ˈen-t(ə-)rə-bəl

adjective

enter-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or entero-

: intestine

enteritis

Phrases

enter into

: to make oneself a party to or in

enter into an agreement

: to form or be part of

your prejudices shouldn't enter into it

: to participate or share in

enter into the spirit of the occasion

enter the lists

: to engage in a fight or struggle

Choose the Right Synonym for enter

enter, penetrate, pierce, probe 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

penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example Sentences

Verb Knock on the door before you enter the room. The medication will quickly enter the blood stream. The river enters the sea near here. Our son will be entering college next year. enter a child in kindergarten The new battleship is scheduled to enter service next spring. an actor who's just now entering his prime The strike has now entered its second week. We've entered a new phase in our relationship. The country is entering a period of prosperity. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In April 1889, the U.S. government created a starting time for settlers to enter central Oklahoma and stake their claim to the land. —

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2023 Kirby Elementary District 140 in Tinley Park plans focus groups, including interviews with current and former students, parents, teachers and community members, in part to assess how prepared students are to enter high school. —

Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2023 This begins in parking lots with rows of cars softened by trees and other greenery, and sidewalks that lead to gravel paths that enter garden spaces and courtyards tucked between buildings. —

Dirk Sutro, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2023 Foreign nationals must be vaccinated against COVID to enter the United States. —

Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2023 He is projected by ESPN to enter the 2023 NFL draft. —

Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner, 29 Jan. 2023 Career opportunities will have to be a priority as more community health workers enter the field and get certified, according to Anna Huff Davis, chair for the Arkansas Community Health Worker Association Board of Directors. —

Garrett Moore, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2023 You’re not required to enter a specific FanDuel promo code. —

Catena Media, oregonlive, 28 Jan. 2023 The Panthers wouldn’t let the Bruins enter the zone easily, or set up east-west passes. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.