Meaning of the word penetrate in English
What does penetrate mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
penetrate
US /ˈpen.ə.treɪt/
UK /ˈpen.ɪ.treɪt/
Verb
1.
to go into or through something, especially with force or difficulty
Example:
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The bullet penetrated the wall.
•
The roots of the tree can penetrate deep into the soil.
2.
to succeed in becoming part of an organization or system, especially in a way that is not welcome
Example:
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The spy managed to penetrate the enemy's defenses.
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It's difficult for new companies to penetrate the established market.
3.
to understand or discover something that is difficult to understand or find out
Example:
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It took a long time to penetrate the mystery of the ancient ruins.
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His words failed to penetrate her stubborn mind.