impregnate

verb

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im·preg·nate | \ im-ˈpreg-ˌnāt

, ˈim-ˌpreg- \

impregnated; impregnating

Definition of impregnate

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause to be filled, imbued, permeated, or saturated impregnate wood with varnish

b : to permeate thoroughly

2 : to make pregnant : fertilize

impregnate

adjective

im·preg·nate | \ im-ˈpreg-nət

Definition of impregnate (Entry 2 of 2)

: being filled or saturated

Other Words from impregnate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about impregnate

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Other Words from impregnate

Verb

impregnation \ (ˌ)im-ˌpreg-ˈnā-shən

\ noun

impregnator \ im-ˈpreg-ˌnā-tər

, ˈim-ˌpreg- \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for impregnate

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

wring (out)

Choose the Right Synonym for impregnate

Verb

soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. soak the garment in soapy water saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. a saturated sponge drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured. clothes drenched by a cloudburst steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed. steep the tea for five minutes impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Examples of impregnate in a Sentence

Verb a cake impregnated with brandy impregnated the cloth with furniture polish

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb House Bill 64, from state Rep. Jena Powell of Darke County, seeks to crack down on cases where a fertility doctor uses his own sperm to impregnate a patient without her knowledge. — Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland, "Police obstruction, liquor license extensions, fertility fraud among issues raised in new Ohio House bills," 8 Feb. 2021 Quincy Fortier, who practiced gynecology and obstetrics in Las Vegas for decades and used his own sperm to impregnate an untold number of women without their knowledge or consent. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘Baby God’ Review: Horrid History, Hidden in a Family Tree," 1 Dec. 2020 The original plan had been to use donor sperm to impregnate Candice. — Molly Longman, refinery29.com, "The Hidden Costs Of Starting A Family When Queer," 15 June 2020 Famous long story short: David pursues an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and impregnates her. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, "The Hero’s Journey Ends With a Whimper," 7 May 2020 Scott disappeared after agreeing to plead guilty to raping and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter. — Fox News, "Marshals nab Mississippi fugitive they say faked his own death 18 months ago," 1 Feb. 2020 Though Cooper and Irina Shayk are together and have a child, plenty of fans have declared themselves impregnated by this duet; watching it again (and again) seems like the only natural thing to do. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Most Tender Awards Season Moments," 25 Feb. 2019 The trial for the former Hacienda nurse accused of raping and impregnating an incapacitated patient under his care has been pushed back as his attorney prepares to propose a possible plea agreement. — Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Trial for ex-Hacienda nurse accused of raping, impregnating patient delayed," 18 Feb. 2020 Brown is a malign presence throughout the book, a skulking, constantly aggrieved figure who abuses Houston physically and emotionally, and impregnates another woman during their courtship. — Allison Stewart, Washington Post, "Robyn Crawford exposes the villains in Whitney Houston’s transcendent, tragic life," 12 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The genetic material was thus less effective for artificial insemination procedures to impregnate female dogs. — Kristin Lam, USA TODAY, "How much is dog sperm worth? $400K, court rules, after an esteemed Labrador's DNA was destroyed," 28 Jan. 2020

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