v. t. | 1. | To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; |
2. | To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; | |
3. | 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. | |
v. i. | 1. | To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively. |
Verb | 1. | penetrate - pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance; "The bullet penetrated her chest" Synonyms: perforate |
2. | penetrate - come to understand | |
3. | penetrate - become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions; "It dawned on him that she had betrayed him"; "she was penetrated with sorrow" | |
4. | penetrate - enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members; "The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor" Synonyms: infiltrate | |
5. | penetrate - make one's way deeper into ar through; "The hikers did not manage to penetrate the dense forest" | |
6. | penetrate - insert the penis into the vagina or anus of; "Did the molester penetrate the child?" | |
7. | penetrate - spread or diffuse through; "An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration"; "music penetrated the entire building" |