as in enters
to go or come in or into
a needle penetrated the heavy canvas only with great effort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 penetrates
The sun that hits the electric blinds hardly penetrates the room, the light dances on the walls, predictable yet never the same.
—
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2025
The sun’s light penetrates only a thousand yards down into the ocean.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
No matter the irrigation method, always water until the water penetrates all the way down to plant roots.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Here, the treatment remains topical and penetrates the skin via ultrasound.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
After sauce has cooked, submerge meatballs and cook on high for 1 hour to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce penetrates every crevice of the hearty meat dish.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Evidence shows that radiation from visible light, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UV rays, can contribute to hyperpigmentation and melasma.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Some of that increase may actually be due to a decrease in air pollution — with cleaner skies, more sunlight penetrates to the ocean, warming it.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
It’s enriched with hydrolyzed keratin, which penetrates the hair cuticle and fills in the gaps caused by breakage for stronger bonds.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2025
The sun’s light penetrates only a thousand yards down into the ocean.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
No matter the irrigation method, always water until the water penetrates all the way down to plant roots.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Here, the treatment remains topical and penetrates the skin via ultrasound.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
After sauce has cooked, submerge meatballs and cook on high for 1 hour to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce penetrates every crevice of the hearty meat dish.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Evidence shows that radiation from visible light, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UV rays, can contribute to hyperpigmentation and melasma.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Some of that increase may actually be due to a decrease in air pollution — with cleaner skies, more sunlight penetrates to the ocean, warming it.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
It’s enriched with hydrolyzed keratin, which penetrates the hair cuticle and fills in the gaps caused by breakage for stronger bonds.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrates
Verb
-
Owners also must have measures in place to ensure that cannabis is not stolen or diverted, including programs to track each piece of cannabis that enters and leaves their store, as well as more traditional security systems, such as video-surveillance systems and a silent alarm.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Formula One has announced new sprint race venues for the 2026 season, the same year the sport enters a new era of regulations.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, which potentially accesses your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Privacy-First Technology Unlike JARVIS, which effortlessly accesses everything, real healthcare AI operates under strict privacy frameworks.—
Sanath Chilakala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penetrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrates. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share