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 Brooks continues solid season Jordyn Brooks, who entered leading the league in tackles, had a sack on a third and short to torpedo Carolina’s possession at the end of the third quarter. Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025 The 30-year-old shortstop entered Friday two homers away from becoming the first Giant to hit 30 homers in a single season since Barry Bonds in 2004. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025 At 35 points above the current elimination line entering the second race in the Round of 12, Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer has a workable cushion, but only 16 points separate the next eight drivers in the standings, starting with fourth-place Carson Kvapil. Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025 To the exec, this is a positive sign that there are more stakeholders interested in entering the film business. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter
Verb
  • Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria to help keep breakouts at bay, while red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen, improve circulation, and promote skin repair.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Once in the stomach, the larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to the skin.
    Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Now two people who once served at Defending Education have been named to posts in the Education Department, and leaders from Moms for Liberty have joined McMahon for roundtables and other official events.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Williams then attended a reception in which current football coach Lance Leipold joined emcee Greg Gurley and approximately 200 well-wishers at a gathering to honor Williams.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The American Library Association says 2,452 unique book titles were challenged in 2024, while PEN America recorded 3,752 unique titles.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • After Ozzy received shots for his blood clots, the entire Osbourne family, grandchildren included, packed a private plane for the trip.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His size and demeanor are perfect for wrangling crowds and looking over heads at Titans games to see if people are trying to access vehicles in the parking lot, officers say.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • While the government is shut down, employers cannot access their E-Verify accounts or access customer support services, according to an E-Verify statement.
    David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Laranjo rejoined Stellantis earlier this year as CFO of Stellantis North America under the company’s new management.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Nexstar and Sinclair ultimately rejoined the fold, but not before making their point — and, perhaps, currying favor with the FCC.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Expert Market surveyed 628 American professionals working in the food and beverage space in August, over 85 percent of whom say labor issues are affecting their operations, with 38 percent listing staffing as their most critical challenge.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The warrant application listed grant funding applications, submissions to the National Science Foundation, and communications related to his research as potential records.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In April, Kismet by Milka opened a London flagship at 110 New Bond Street, which spans 1,500 square feet across two floors with two piercing studios.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Touches five and six are merely the cajoling preamble to the pièce de résistance, aka touch seven, a piercing through ball which splits defender Goncalo Inacio and backtracking forward Geny Catamo like a warm bread knife through a ciabatta roll straight out of Mama’s oven.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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