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
Sealing your patio will keep moss from growing by reducing the amount of moisture that penetrates into pavers.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Red light at a wavelength of roughly 620–700 nanometers penetrates superficially and targets collagen remodeling and inflammation.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The team also found evidence that seawater penetrates deep into these fractured zones.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
For most mammals, water quickly penetrates wet fur and directly contacts the skin, eliminating the coat’s key benefit.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 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
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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Red light at a wavelength of roughly 620–700 nanometers penetrates superficially and targets collagen remodeling and inflammation.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The team also found evidence that seawater penetrates deep into these fractured zones.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
For most mammals, water quickly penetrates wet fur and directly contacts the skin, eliminating the coat’s key benefit.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrates
Verb
-
Shula enters his third season overseeing a defense remade by the March trade for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, the signing of cornerback Jaylen Watson and the trade for Garrett.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
The parasite typically enters through the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or genitals of warm-blooded mammals.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
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
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 11 Jun. 2026.
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