Synonyms of penetrate

penetrate

verb

ˈpe-nə-ˌtrāt 

as in to pierce

to go or come in or into

a needle penetrated the heavy canvas only with great effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pierce
• enter
• access
• invade
• set foot in
• step into
• burst (in or into)
• infiltrate
• breeze (in)
• encroach
• drop in
• pop (in)
• intrude
• trespass
• stray (into)
• waltz (in)
• infringe
• wander (into)
• barge (in)
• gate-crash
• crash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• depart
• exit

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb penetrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of penetrate are enter, pierce, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When would enter be a good substitute for penetrate?

The words enter and penetrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is pierce a more appropriate choice than penetrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to penetrate, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When can probe be used instead of penetrate?

The synonyms probe and penetrate are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of penetrate

This study shows just how deeply PFAS penetrate a body and its systems, says environmental epidemiologist Jesse Goodrich, who was not involved in the work. —Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 4 July 2025

Each oversized, pre-soaked pad is packed with salicylic acid—a beta-hydroxy acid that penetrates deep into pores to unclog, smooth, and clear up breakouts quickly. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 3 July 2025

For that reason, Napoleon penetrated enemy territory along parallel roads. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

The hack penetrated a third-party customer service platform used by a Qantas contact center, the airline said in a statement on Wednesday. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 2 July 2025