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
The oil penetrates your skin quickly and can help soothe dry, irritated skin.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve away acne-causing debris, while coddling the skin barrier with a cocktail of ceramides and niacinamide.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This rich formula penetrates deep into the dermis creating renewal and hydrating like a dream.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
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
Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve away acne-causing debris, while coddling the skin barrier with a cocktail of ceramides and niacinamide.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This rich formula penetrates deep into the dermis creating renewal and hydrating like a dream.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrates
Verb
-
Here’s what to know as the federal government shutdown enters day seven.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The signing of the bill signals Newsom is sympathetic to the concerns of Jewish Californians who support Israel, as the war in Gaza enters its third year.—
Kate Wolffe
October 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
When a leg pierces the surface, capillary forces cause the fan to spread open within milliseconds, creating a broad paddle.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The legislation was passed in the wake of concerns that TikTok accesses personal information on Americans.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In healthcare, if a clinician normally accesses patient records during clinic hours on a secure device, an attempt at midnight from an unknown device would prompt verification or termination of the session.—
Pulak De,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penetrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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