Synonyms of impregnate

impregnate

verb

im-ˈpreg-ˌnāt 

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid

impregnated the cloth with furniture polish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soak
• saturate
• drown
• drench
• macerate
• immerse
• wash
• submerge
• steep
• penetrate
• dip
• sop
• sodden
• souse
• infiltrate
• marinate
• inundate
• permeate
• bathe
• water
• moisten
• hydrate
• seethe
• swamp
• waterlog
• water-soak
• douse
• damp
• dampen
• presoak
• humidify
• swill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• wring (out)
• dehydrate
• drain
• empty
• void
• sear
• desiccate
• parch
• dehumidify

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

Recent Examples of impregnate

The ex-Stoughton police officer accused of grooming, impregnating and then killing Canton woman Sandra Birchmore has been charged in a new indictment with causing the death of her unborn child, according to court documents. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

In Episode 7, audiences finally got to see the creature in action after Arthur (David Rysdahl) is impregnated by the specimen, paying homage to Kane’s (John Hurt) death on the Nostromo. —Leia Mendoza, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025

Shortly thereafter, Jenny and Olivia discover that they’ve both been impregnated by Connor, throwing a wrench in his and Olivia’s now-blossoming relationship. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025

The $100,000 in damages could go in full to the pregnant person, the person who impregnated them, or certain close relatives. —Chantelle Lee, Time, 4 Sep. 2025