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penetrates

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.

This setup has enabled them to watch, live and in sharp detail, the moment an influenza virus penetrates a living cell.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

It’s rare anything penetrates the preternatural calm with which Watkins plays, but it was clear the superstar sophomore was pressing, in the throes of her worst slump yet at USC.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2025

UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth's atmosphere.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2024

He likens the brain to a leaky bucket, where the water level is the amount of dye that penetrates it.

From Science Magazine • May 24, 2024

A sudden chill penetrates my bones, and I hear laughter again.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir