penetrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "penetrate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an idea of entering or clearly understanding something. Example: His powerful words penetrated the minds of the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Men aren't simply raped, they are forced to penetrate holes in banana trees that run with acidic sap, to sit with their genitals over a fire, to drag rocks tied to their penis, to give oral sex to queues of soldiers, to be penetrated with screwdrivers and sticks.

The Guardian

Singer then allegedly attempted to penetrate the 17-year-old Briton.

The Guardian - Film

During this time he was also serving as a director of Oxford United football club, an official role that enabled him to penetrate further into the world of the sport.

The Guardian

"I played Hidegkuti," remembered Sebes, "even though he was only half fit, because I needed his fine technique and tactical guile to penetrate the world's toughest defence".

The Guardian

The failure of these attacks to penetrate is leading to desperation, especially in those parts of the press that, thanks to Miliband's stance on media regulation, are determined to keep him out of No 10.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of this belied the notion that Cruise made Britain safe – if women could penetrate the camp and peaceniks could find, blockade and generally discombobulate the military manoeuvres, then surely the Russians would have no problem finding them.

The Guardian

High pressure makes it measurably harder for a cyclist to penetrate the air and Wiggins said he could perhaps have gone some 700 metres further without the barometer hitting over 1030 millibars.

The Guardian - Sport

They hit hard, they run hard, they keep deep into Manly territory, penetrate the heartlands.

The Guardian - Sport

Not onto already folded quarters, or it will not penetrate the core.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The camera needs to penetrate.

The Guardian - Sport

The third-most-common, the greater horned owl, though nocturnal, pounces from the air with such force that it would easily penetrate any crust, and thus come to a sad and sticky end entombed for millennia until the palaeo-ornithologists of the 21st century disinterred it.Correction: This article originally neglected to make clear that the cats under discussion were big cats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "penetrate", consider the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's physical entry, intellectual understanding, or emotional impact. Choose synonyms carefully to match your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "penetrate" in contexts where a more delicate or neutral term is appropriate. Its directness can sometimes be jarring or inappropriate depending on the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The word "penetrate" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of entering, piercing, or understanding something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "penetrate" is used to describe physical entry, such as a bullet penetrating armor, as well as abstract understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penetrate" is a versatile verb used to describe physical entry, intellectual understanding, or emotional impact. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. The analysis reveals its frequent occurrence in news, science, and business domains. While generally neutral in tone, its use requires careful consideration of the specific context to avoid unintended connotations. The numerous examples available on Ludwig underscore the diverse applications of "penetrate" in both literal and figurative senses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pierce

Focuses more on the physical act of making a hole or opening in something.

permeate

Suggests a spreading or pervading influence throughout something.

infiltrate

Implies entering a space or organization secretly or gradually.

pervade

Emphasizes the widespread presence or influence of something.

access

Highlights the ability to enter or make use of something.

comprehend

Shifts the focus to understanding something complex.

fathom

Suggests a deeper level of understanding or insight.

imbue

Focuses on filling something with a particular quality or feeling.

interpenetrate

Describes the mutual penetration or overlapping of two or more things.

get through

Informal way to describe clearly communicating an idea to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "penetrate" in a sentence?

You can use "penetrate" to describe something entering or passing through something else, like "The bullet penetrated the armor." It can also mean to understand something difficult, or to deeply affect someone's feelings.

What are some synonyms for "penetrate"?

Depending on the context, you can use "pierce", "permeate", "infiltrate", or "fathom" as alternatives to "penetrate".

Is it always appropriate to use the word "penetrate"?

No, "penetrate" can have strong connotations and should be used carefully. In some contexts, it might be too direct or even offensive. Consider your audience and the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does it mean to "penetrate" a market?

In business, to "penetrate" a market means to successfully enter and gain a significant share of that market. It implies overcoming barriers to entry and establishing a presence.