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 December, Gronowski debated between leaving for the NFL or entering the transfer portal. Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell entered and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley for the 45-38 win. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025 The League also recommended that the sheriff improve training and supervision of deputies, screen all staff for drugs when entering jails and make sure that the jails meet all disability laws and standards. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025 The Jayhawks entered as favorites and scored the game’s first seven points. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter
Verb
  • These small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and can be a cause of conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, according to health officials.
    Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Lecter’s main power was his penetrating thinking and sustained intuiting.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Where to stay One 1913 Beaux-Arts building and one modern structure joined by a courtyard, Ignacia Guest House has nine rooms, a pink lounge, a library, and a kitchen and dining space with French doors that lead outside.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The actor joined the cast in 2014.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Austin Reaves recorded 25 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, while Rui Hachimura added 23 points of his own.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Rozier played that night, but recorded just five points and four rebounds in 10 minutes before exiting with a foot injury.
    Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Among other benefits of cloud-native technologies, engineers can quickly validate product designs in real-world conditions, while CAE developers receive rapid feedback to optimize performance.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The more carp taken the more tickets one receives.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Car buyers may face elevated prices and a shortage of some vehicles due to a supply chain snarled by tariffs and challenges accessing crucial materials, some industry experts told ABC News.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • And a recent study found 30% of families who access food pantries have incomes that don’t qualify for federal benefits, but are still food insecure.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hairston was designated to return from IR and began his 21-day practice window on Monday, but this latest update puts him on track to potentially rejoin the lineup ahead of Buffalo's Week 8 road test against the Carolina Panthers.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Schweitzman began her career as an assistant at CAA and rejoined the agency in 2017 as an agent after working for Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The White House did not release the size of the donations for all 37 listed.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Additionally, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is listed as questionable due to a back injury, which could impact the team's depth at the position.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Produced before the gag order was lifted, the four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho turns its focus to the families, friends and community members still wrestling with the aftermath, offering a piercing look at a case with many unanswered questions.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The grotesque details—the uncle’s fingernails piercing his hands, the dog’s permanent terror of rabbits—are simply there.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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