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 In one of his first major film roles, Anthony Mackie plays a newly unemployed executive who, desperate for money, agrees to impregnate his lesbian ex-girlfriend (Kerry Washington) and all her friends. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025 He's offered to impregnate women he's never met, including Taylor Swift. PC Magazine, 28 July 2025 The father had reportedly impregnated his daughter in the past, according to the serious incident report. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 July 2025 In order to keep Superman's nose out of his business, he's impregnated the whole thing with kryptonite. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for impregnate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impregnate
Verb
  • Later in the week, get ready for what could be Kansas City’s first frost of the season, with a good soaking rain coming by week’s end, the National Weather Service said.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
  • She was pushed into a soaking-wet corner of the concrete at the crossroads of Mass and Cass, the city’s painful addiction mile.
    Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The holiday decor scene is saturated—nutcrackers, gingerbread houses, bow garlands, wreaths, strings of snowflakes, glittery pinecones, and that nativity scene that’s been passed down for generations.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The updates come as the streaming market becomes increasingly saturated with options — and as other major apps hike their prices.
    Luke Fountain, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Amber Smith and her husband, Granger Smith, lived every parent’s worst nightmare in 2019 when their 3-year-old son, River, drowned in the family’s backyard pool.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The couple had three children, the eldest of whom — Rupert — drowned off the West African coast in 1986.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Great Lakes region is being drenched by persistent lake-effect rains off Lake Michigan.
    Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • For now, the bulk of Melissa’s rain clouds are stacked on its right side, giving it the opportunity to drench the Caribbean this week with up to 10 inches of rainfall in Haiti’s case as soon as Friday.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The aromatic base of Macabeo grapes gets its color from unripe green walnuts, macerated with 150 botanicals before being aged in oak for six months.
    Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Let apples stand at room temperature fat least 1 hour or up to 24 hours to macerate and release their juices, stirring occasionally.
    Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impregnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impregnate. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impregnate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!