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Definitions

penetrate

[pen-i-treyt] / ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪt /
VERB
pierce; get through physically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crack drill enter go through infiltrate invade pass through permeate pervade puncture seep
STRONG
access bayonet bore charge come diffuse drive encroach force gore impale insert insinuate introduce jab knife percolate perforate prick probe ream saturate spear stab suffuse thrust trespass
WEAK
barge in blow in break in breeze in bust in eat through filter in get in ingress make a hole make an entrance pop in run into sink into stick into
Antonyms
STRONGEST
surrender yield
STRONG
retreat
WEAK
exit misconstrue misinterpret misunderstand take out withdraw
VERB
understand or be understood
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affect fathom get through touch
STRONG
comprehend decipher discern grasp impress perceive unravel
WEAK
become clear come across figure out get across get over get to the bottom put over see through sink in soak in work out
Antonyms
STRONG
misinterpret misunderstand neglect overlook
WEAK
exit misconstrue take out withdraw

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most British spiders couldn't bite you if they tried; their fangs are too small or weak to penetrate human skin.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Investors seem increasingly spooked by Mythos, a forthcoming Anthropic model that the company has said is so powerful it could penetrate existing cyber defenses if it’s misused by bad actors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Like De Zerbi, Postecoglou opted for a risky short-passing game that looked to penetrate teams through central play.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The turbidites where they were found had been deposited at depths of at least 180 meters, far too deep for sunlight to penetrate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

The first Europeans settled on the coast, and it took them a long time to penetrate into the interior, but by 1960 European governments had established political control over most New Guineans.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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