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

Plastic pollution can feel overwhelming — more than 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year — but stories rooted in collaborative community work can spark hope. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Latz, a physician who lives in Mission Hills and entered the race in late March, said fundraising numbers aren’t the only indication of a candidate’s stength. —Matthew Kelly updated June 7, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026

The youngest of the 81 million-strong baby-boom birth cohort had entered the labor market in 1982. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

After entering the market with its first production model, GAC Govy has been advancing toward regulatory approval and commercial deployment. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026

Phrases Containing enter

• enter (into or upon)