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penetrate - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'penetrate' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Penetrate [ v. i.]
- To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively.
2 . Penetrate [ v. t.]
- To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates darkness.
- To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as, to penetrate one's heart with pity.
- To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult subject; to comprehend; to understand.

Meaning of 'penetrate' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . penetrate [ v]
Meaning (1):
- spread or diffuse through
Example in sentence:
  • An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration;
  • His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks;
  • music penetrated the entire building
Meaning (2):
- insert the penis into the vagina or anus of
Example in sentence:
  • Did the molester penetrate the child?
Meaning (3):
- become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
Example in sentence:
  • It dawned on him that she had betrayed him;
  • she was penetrated with sorrow
Meaning (4):
- pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
Example in sentence:
  • The bullet penetrated her chest
Meaning (5):
- make one's way deeper into or through
Example in sentence:
  • The hikers did not manage to penetrate the dense forest
Meaning (6):
- enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
Example in sentence:
  • The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor

Nearby Words:

pen penal penality penalize penally penalties penalty penance penanced penanceless

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