penetrate

[ˈpɛnɪtreɪt]

penetrate Definition

• 1. to pierce or pass into or through something
• 2. to enter into and spread through an area, group, etc.
• 3. to understand or discover something that is hidden or secret

Using penetrate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penetrate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The bullet penetrated his chest.

• Example

  The company is trying to penetrate the European market.

• Example

  The spy penetrated the enemy's headquarters.

• Example

  It took years for her to penetrate the mystery surrounding her father's death.

penetrate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for penetrate

• permeate
• enter
• invade
• probe
• pierce

Antonyms for penetrate

• withdraw
• retreat
• evacuate

Phrases with penetrate

• penetrate someone's mind

  to understand what someone is thinking or feeling

  Example

  It's difficult to penetrate his mind and know what he's really thinking.

• penetrate the market

  to successfully enter and establish oneself in a new market

  Example

  The company has been trying to penetrate the Asian market for years.

• penetrate someone's defenses

  to overcome someone's resistance or barriers

  Example

  The hacker was able to penetrate the company's defenses and steal sensitive information.

Origins of penetrate

from Latin 'penetratus', past participle of 'penetrare', meaning 'to put or set inside, thrust into'

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Summary: penetrate in Brief

To 'penetrate' [ˈpɛnɪtreɪt] means to pierce or pass into something, enter and spread through an area or group, or understand something hidden or secret. Examples include 'The bullet penetrated his chest,' 'The company is trying to penetrate the European market,' and 'It took years for her to penetrate the mystery surrounding her father's death.' The phrase 'penetrate someone's mind' means to understand their thoughts or feelings.