as in enters
to go or come in or into
a needle penetrated the heavy canvas only with great effort
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Recent Examples of penetrates
For most mammals, water quickly penetrates wet fur and directly contacts the skin, eliminating the coat’s key benefit.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Why Oven Temperature Matters For Baked Potatoes Oven temperature determines how heat penetrates the potato, affecting how the starches inside gelatinize and soften.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
If the probe penetrates less than 4 inches, the soil is considered compacted.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
But don't expect to be taking Instagram-worthy photos at the bottom of the trip – the depths reach the edge of the Midnight Zone, where no sunlight penetrates.
—New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2026
Even a single missile that penetrates defenses and strikes infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants, or universities could impose high costs.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
The process is arduous, spanning days or weeks of boiling and soaking in syrup, but when sugar properly penetrates fruit’s cellular structure, not only does the appearance become almost incandescent, but the microbes that cause spoilage can’t survive.
—Hannah Walhout, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026
The aerator penetrates and removes a cigar size piece of soil and distributes it on the soil surface.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Why Oven Temperature Matters For Baked Potatoes Oven temperature determines how heat penetrates the potato, affecting how the starches inside gelatinize and soften.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
If the probe penetrates less than 4 inches, the soil is considered compacted.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
But don't expect to be taking Instagram-worthy photos at the bottom of the trip – the depths reach the edge of the Midnight Zone, where no sunlight penetrates.
—New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2026
Even a single missile that penetrates defenses and strikes infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants, or universities could impose high costs.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
The process is arduous, spanning days or weeks of boiling and soaking in syrup, but when sugar properly penetrates fruit’s cellular structure, not only does the appearance become almost incandescent, but the microbes that cause spoilage can’t survive.
—Hannah Walhout, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026
The aerator penetrates and removes a cigar size piece of soil and distributes it on the soil surface.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrates
Verb
-
Providence and Lincoln-Way West move up, while Sandburg enters topsy-turvy rankings.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The replay shows the puck enters the goal just below the crossbar and caroms off the frame at the back of the net.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This suite is reached from a hall off the entry foyer, which also accesses the home’s second half bath.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Greg takes Tommy’s advice and finally accesses his inner Rooster.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penetrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrates. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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