Synonym Chooser

How is the word impregnate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of impregnate are drench, saturate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could drench be used to replace impregnate?

While in some cases nearly identical to impregnate, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When might saturate be a better fit than impregnate?

The words saturate and impregnate can be used in similar contexts, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to impregnate?

While the synonyms soak and impregnate are close in meaning, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

In what contexts can steep take the place of impregnate?

In some situations, the words steep and impregnate are roughly equivalent. However, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

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 impregnate To cope, Bobby impregnates and marries another Veronica (Blake Lively), who is so attractive and kind and cheerful and perfect that we are forced to conclude that Bobby must really, really love brunette Veronica to still be thinking about her despite being wed to an angel. Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 2 May 2025 If this all is Dr. Max’s fever dream, the appeal might just be impregnating a coworker, not the actual responsibility of raising a child. Claire Franken, TVLine, 28 Mar. 2025 For context, in 2017 Kirk confessed to stepping out on Rashida with a stripper named Jasmine Washington and impregnating her during season 6 of LAHH ATL. Essence, 24 Apr. 2025 Handmaids were the remaining fertile women, forcibly impregnated by Commanders. Fred Topel, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impregnate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impregnate
Verb
  • Overnight storms soaked parts of the Kansas City area, with the heaviest rains falling in Wyandotte County and the Northland, according to storm gauges across the metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
  • Minimal skin contact — juice soaks with skins for a few hours, gaining slightly deeper color and flavor than direct press.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Founded in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1973 by a host of Ivy League squash and tennis players, Boast emerged as the American counterpart to Europe’s heritage tennis brands during a decade when the sport seemed to saturate U.S. culture.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 June 2025
  • This is what companies are doing-- or should be doing --to stay on top: Own Your Audience To Stand Out In A Crowded Market Today’s market is saturated with tools, platforms, and products that often look and function similarly.
    Margot Machol Bisnow, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Tragically, eight people drowned, while two were rescued by lifeguards, park rangers and nearby civilian boaters who rushed to help.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • The funeral service for a Metro Transit Police Department sergeant who drowned on Sunday in White Bear Lake will be Friday.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • That said, not everyone should drench their skin in the unsuspecting reverse aging agent.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
  • Boiling Water Some gardeners drench the plant with boiling water, a method that is usually not effective in killing the entire plant.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The berries need to macerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day before serving.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • Cooking time: 40 minutes, plus 2 to 4 hours hands-off time to macerate the berries.
    Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impregnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impregnate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impregnate

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