Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb penetrate

7 senses of penetrate

Sense 1
penetrate, perforate -- (pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance; "The bullet penetrated her chest")
       => enter, come in, get into, get in, go into, go in, move into -- (to come or go into; "the boat entered an area of shallow marshes")

Sense 2
penetrate, fathom, bottom -- (come to understand)
       => understand -- (know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means")

Sense 3
click, get through, dawn, come home, get across, sink in, penetrate, fall into place -- (become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions; "It dawned on him that she had betrayed him"; "she was penetrated with sorrow")

Sense 4
infiltrate, penetrate -- (enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members; "The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor")
       => join, fall in, get together -- (become part of; become a member of a group or organization; "He joined the Communist Party as a young man")

Sense 5
penetrate -- (make one's way deeper into or through; "The hikers did not manage to penetrate the dense forest")
       => advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on -- (move forward, also in the metaphorical sense; "Time marches on")

Sense 6
penetrate -- (insert the penis into the vagina or anus of; "Did the molester penetrate the child?")
       => insert, infix, enter, introduce -- (put or introduce into something; "insert a picture into the text")

Sense 7
permeate, pervade, penetrate, interpenetrate, diffuse, imbue, riddle -- (spread or diffuse through; "An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration"; "music penetrated the entire building"; "His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks")
       => penetrate, perforate -- (pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance; "The bullet penetrated her chest")