Synonyms of enter

enter

verb

ˈen-tər 

1

as in to penetrate

to go or come in or into

the hikers entered the cave with considerable caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• penetrate
• access
• pierce
• invade
• step into
• set foot in
• burst (in or into)
• breeze (in)
• infiltrate
• drop in
• trespass
• encroach
• intrude
• pop (in)
• waltz (in)
• wander (into)
• stray (into)
• infringe
• gate-crash
• barge (in)
• crash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• depart
• exit

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

• join
• rejoin
• enlist (in)
• enroll (in)
• sign up (for)
• reenter
• sign on (for)
• get in
• reenlist
• reenroll
• re-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• quit
• drop out
• demit

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

• record
• list
• register
• enroll
• file
• catalog
• schedule
• index
• slate
• book
• inscribe
• classify
• compile
• card
• note
• put down
• tabulate
• reschedule
• tally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delete

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

• receive
• admit
• take
• welcome
• entertain
• confirm
• ratify
• fellowship

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• bar
• reject
• dismiss
• ban
• disallow
• decline
• disapprove
• exile
• expel
• banish
• throw out
• oust
• deport
• ostracize
• blacklist
• blackball

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

Recent Examples of enter

JaKyra Allen, 22, was in the first cohort of students to need a master’s degree before entering the dietetics workforce. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

Tourism is a way to escape your own world without fully entering another. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

The plant entered decommissioning after its sale to Holtec International, which then applied to the Civil Nuclear Credit Program to reopen the plant. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

The baseball season has entered the final month of the regular season. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing enter

• enter (into or upon)