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 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
Dot stands patiently in heavy fabrics on a Sunday, while George stares at her with a razor focus that never penetrates her soul.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Based on studies from his research group, the wedge usually penetrates south of Athens and can reach the Atlanta area and beyond.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The salicylic acid penetrates a little deeper into the pores to break up the glue-like mixture of oil and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 14 Jan. 2026
The oily petroleum base penetrates the finish on the wood, displacing the moisture trapped inside, and the oils also nourish and condition dry wood.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
The oil penetrates the wood to keep it from drying out, while the beeswax adds a gentle protective layer that repels water.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Dot stands patiently in heavy fabrics on a Sunday, while George stares at her with a razor focus that never penetrates her soul.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Based on studies from his research group, the wedge usually penetrates south of Athens and can reach the Atlanta area and beyond.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The salicylic acid penetrates a little deeper into the pores to break up the glue-like mixture of oil and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 14 Jan. 2026
The oily petroleum base penetrates the finish on the wood, displacing the moisture trapped inside, and the oils also nourish and condition dry wood.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
The oil penetrates the wood to keep it from drying out, while the beeswax adds a gentle protective layer that repels water.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrates
Verb
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Evergreen Park 20-6 (NR) Veteran coach George Shimko enters this week for the Mustangs with 199 career wins.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Czechia enters the 2026 Olympics fifth in the pecking order among contenders with depth as a major concern.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.—
Jennifer Brett,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mind wandering accesses pathways in our minds that have been left idle and are at risk of becoming obsolete.—
Rahul Jandial,
Parents,
18 Jan. 2026
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There is also an auditing process to track who accesses the data in the department.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penetrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrates. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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