impregnate

Saturate or fertilize

To impregnate is to make pregnant—to fertilize an egg and initiate pregnancy: The doctor confirmed she'd been impregnated through IVF.

The word extends to saturating or permeating a substance with something else: wood impregnated with preservative, fabric impregnated with waterproofing.

Figuratively, ideas or feelings can impregnate a place or work: The atmosphere was impregnated with tension.

infuse

permeate

Spread through entirely

saturateSoak to full capacity
imbuePervade with feeling
suffuseSpread gradually through

pervade · steep · soak · penetrate · infiltrate · seep · diffuse · interpenetrate · percolate · absorb

pollinate

pollen

Floral reproductive grains

stamenPollen-producing flower organ
pistilSeed-producing flower organ
antherPollen-producing structure

cross-pollination · fertilize · germinate · seed · propagate · gamete · spore · bloom · blossom · cultivar

conceive

conception

Formation of an idea

fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
procreationGenerating biological offspring
inseminateIntroduce sperm to egg

gestation · embryo · fetus · zygote · ovulate · fertility · reproduction · motherhood · maternity · expecting

reinforce

strengthen

Make more robust

fortifyMake stronger against threat
treatSomething pleasantly special
coatOuter garment or layer

seal · waterproof · fireproof · harden · preserve · protect · resin · polymer · laminate · composite

Opposites

reproduction/fertility

impregnatesterilize

Eliminate all microorganisms

abort · neuter · castrate · spay · vasectomize

saturation/permeation

impregnateempty

Holding nothing inside

drain · dry · desiccate · dehydrate · deplete

Family

impregnable, impregnation, impregnated, impregnating, impregnates, impregnator, impregnability, impregnably, impregnations

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13