verb (used with object),pen·e·trat·ed,pen·e·trat·ing.
to pierce or pass into or through: The bullet penetrated the wall. The fog lights penetrated the mist.
to enter the interior of: to penetrate a forest.
to enter and diffuse itself through; permeate.
to arrive at the truth or meaning of; understand; comprehend: to penetrate a mystery.
to obtain a share of (a market): to penetrate the Canadian coffee market.
to affect or impress (the mind or feelings) deeply.
to extend influence, usually peacefully, into the affairs of (another country).
verb (used without object),pen·e·trat·ed,pen·e·trat·ing.
to enter, reach, or pass through something, as by piercing: We penetrated to the interior of the Kasbah.
to be diffused through something.
to understand or read the meaning of something.
to have a deep effect or impact on someone.
Origin of penetrate
1520–30; <Latin penetrātus (past participle of penetrāre), equivalent to penet-, variant stem of penitus deep down + -r- (probably by analogy with intus inside: intrāre to enter) + -ātus + -ate1
SYNONYMS FOR penetrate
4 fathom, discern.
6 touch.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR penetrate ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for penetrate
1. See pierce.
OTHER WORDS FROM penetrate
pen·e·tra·tor,nounpre·pen·e·trate,verb (used with object),pre·pen·e·trat·ed,pre·pen·e·trat·ing.un·pen·e·trat·ed,adjective