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

An archery target stand should hold up your target, allowing the arrows to penetrate easily without causing damage to the arrow itself. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

John Goff, who studies the physics of soccer at the University of Puget Sound, told me that if the ground is too hard, cleats can’t penetrate its surface properly and players slip. —Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

It's made up of exoskeletons of tiny marine animals and contains sharp shards that penetrate ants' bodies and dispatch them. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 June 2026

In loose soil, gravel, or cracks in walkways, boiling water can penetrate and scald the root system directly. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026