impregnated

USAGE SUMMARY

'impregnated' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which a man has caused a woman to become pregnant after having sexual intercourse with her, or to describe a situation in which something has been filled or caused to become full. Example sentence: The woman was shocked to discover she had been impregnated by her partner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's correct: any young Missouri woman impregnated against her will, whether by a total stranger or a family member, still must wait three days before she can terminate the pregnancy.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they're impregnated by their employers they are jailed".

The Guardian

The reality now is more prosaic: the hounds have picked up a scent laid by a hunt supporter carrying a rag impregnated with fox urine.

The Guardian

The procedure typically involves placing disposable strips impregnated with a whitening agent on a client's teeth.

The Economist

"We did things blindly," remembers Peter Nkulila, a doctor.Perhaps most importantly, health centres in Morogoro encourage people to use bednets impregnated with insecticide, which bash mosquitoes in several ways.

The Economist

This ensured that all female beetles would become pregnant, but those who mated with irradiated males were impregnated by damaged sperm, and would not lay viable eggs.

The Economist

The story is a peculiar fairytale, in which the oddball anti-hero pulled from his granti-hero pulledth a prostitute, Zabrorovna, a golfromaying giant, Lord Gall, and, in thiscemetery where Belacqua was buried, a "grave conversesled Mick Doyle.Gall, withis impotent, insists that his lands can only be prostituteif his syphilitic wife is successfully impregnated by the ghost-like Belacqua.

The Economist

Which is where the search for oil comes in.An atom interferometer, Dr Bingham and Dr Wang believe, could detect shifts in gravitational pull caused by the change from solid rock to one impregnated with oil (these are small, but much larger than those of quantum gravity).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The composite is re-impregnated with polymer, and the pyrolysis is repeated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Magnesia bricks can be chemically bonded, pitch-bonded, burned, or burned and then pitch-impregnated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the ship moves through a spill, the oil-impregnated wool will be gathered mechanically up ramps and taken into the ship.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials, use "impregnated" to indicate that a substance has been thoroughly soaked or infused into the material's structure. For instance, "bednets impregnated with insecticide" are effective against mosquitoes.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "impregnated". Overusing the term in contexts beyond its literal meanings can sometimes sound awkward or unintentionally suggestive, especially when describing abstract concepts or qualities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impregnated" is a past participle of the verb impregnate. It's used to describe a state of being filled or infused with something, whether it be a substance or the result of conception. Ludwig highlights its use in describing both physical saturation and biological processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "impregnated" functions primarily as a past participle, conveying the state of being filled or infused with something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable across a range of contexts, from describing materials infused with substances to the biological process of conception. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", demonstrating its versatility. While generally neutral in register, context can shift it towards more formal or scientific usage. When writing, be mindful of the connotations and ensure the term aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding potentially suggestive or inappropriate applications. For alternatives, consider words like "saturated", "infused", or "permeated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inseminated

Specifically refers to the introduction of semen into a female, either naturally or artificially.

fertilized

Refers to the union of male and female gametes, leading to conception.

saturated

Focuses on the state of being completely filled or soaked with something.

imbued

Implies filling something with a particular quality or feeling.

infused

Highlights the process of gradually filling something with a quality or substance.

permeated

Emphasizes the spreading or penetration of something throughout an area or substance.

suffused

Suggests a gradual spreading of color, light, or feeling through something.

inoculated with

Specifically relates to the introduction of something, like a belief or idea, into someone's mind.

inoculated

Describes the introduction of a substance, often a vaccine, into the body to create immunity.

charged

Implies filling something with energy or a specific quality.

FAQs

How is "impregnated" typically used in a sentence?

The word "impregnated" can describe a woman becoming pregnant, as in, "She was "impregnated" by her partner". It can also describe a substance being infused into something, such as "cloth "impregnated" with cleaning fluid".

What are some alternatives to the word "impregnated" when referring to pregnancy?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "became pregnant", "conceived", or "was inseminated". The best choice varies based on the specific situation you're describing.

When is it appropriate to use "impregnated" versus "infused"?

"Impregnated" typically implies a thorough soaking or permeation. "Infused" suggests a more gradual or gentle process of filling. Use "impregnated" when something is saturated, and "infused" when something is subtly filled or flavored. For example, "wood "infused" with essential oils".

Can "impregnated" have meanings other than related to pregnancy?

Yes. "Impregnated" can also describe materials or objects that have been saturated or infused with a substance. For instance, "bednets "treated" with insecticide" or "fibers "saturated" with zinc oxide".