Synonyms of enter

enter 1 of 2

verb (1)

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

enter (into or upon)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to begin

to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

a series of counseling sessions intended to help young couples about to enter into the trials and tribulations of marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• begin
• strike (into)
• start
• commence
• embark (on or upon)
• open
• get off
• fall (to)
• get going
• get to
• launch
• set about
• found
• lead off
• create
• kick off
• generate
• initiate
• take on
• take up
• adopt
• organize
• originate
• establish
• invent
• innovate
• institute
• pioneer
• get around (to)
• set up
• inaugurate
• spawn
• get down (to)
• embrace
• father
• get round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• finish
• stop
• terminate
• conclude
• cease
• quit
• complete
• lay off
• discontinue
• close
• leave
• halt
• abandon
• knock off
• destroy
• desist
• abolish
• extinguish
• forsake
• phase out
• demolish
• exterminate

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

Verb

Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said in a statement that 2,032 travelers entered Turkey from Iran on Wednesday, while 1,966 of them departed to Iran. —Serra Yedikardes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Asian energy buyers, desperate to secure supplies as the Middle East war enters its second week, are outbidding rivals to lure fuel shipments that were headed to other regions. —Nicholas Lua, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

Between 2020 and 2024, the number of probate and estate cases entering state courts rose about 32%, based on data from 39 states, according to the independent nonprofit National Center for State Courts. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026

All three entered Saturday with similar spring stats, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing enter

• enter (into or upon)