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

According to the movie, closely adapted by Roman Polanski from a 1967 novel by Ira Levin, Guy has colluded with the neighbors to have Rosemary raped and impregnated by Satan. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025

According to prosecutors, Farwell agreed to try and impregnate Birchmore to stop her from telling people about their relationship. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

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