penetrates
Enters and traverses
Penetrates is the third person singular of penetrate, meaning to pass into or through something.
A bullet penetrates flesh; light penetrates darkness; cold penetrates thin clothing.
The word extends to understanding: The meaning finally penetrates.
To penetrate a market is to gain entry; to penetrate a disguise is to see through it.
In sexual contexts, penetrate refers to insertion into a body cavity.
Passes through gradually
- filtersSelective passage barriers
- diffusesSpreads in all directions
- infiltratesEnters covertly, often undetected
- percolatesFilters slowly through
suffuses · pervades · saturates · soaks · imbues · fills · infuses · absorbs
Pierces to make holes
- stabsPiercing knife wounds
- perforatesPuts holes through
- skewersPointed rods for cooking
- pricksLight puncture wounds
impales · lances · bores · drills · gouges · spears · needles · probes
Holds or comprehends
- understandsMentally grasps meaning
- fathomsUnderstands or depth units
- discernsRecognizes through careful observation
- perceivesBecomes aware of something
sees through · gets to the bottom of · unravels · deciphers · cracks · figures out · solves · apprehends
seeps
Passes through gradually
- filtersSelective passage barriers
- diffusesSpreads in all directions
- infiltratesEnters covertly, often undetected
percolates · suffuses · pervades · saturates · soaks · imbues · fills · infuses · absorbs · leaches
punctures
Pierces to make holes
- stabsPiercing knife wounds
- perforatesPuts holes through
- skewersPointed rods for cooking
pricks · impales · lances · bores · drills · gouges · spears · needles · probes · pokes
grasps
Holds or comprehends
- understandsMentally grasps meaning
- fathomsUnderstands or depth units
- discernsRecognizes through careful observation
perceives · sees through · gets to the bottom of · unravels · deciphers · cracks · figures out · solves · apprehends · realizes
storms
Violent atmospheric disturbances
batters · breaks into · overcomes · defeats · compromises · ruptures · violates · broaches · crosses
- penetrating stareIntensely focused, probing look
- penetrating oilFluid that loosens corrosion
- deep penetrationEntry far into something
- penetration testingAuthorized security vulnerability assessment
- penetration pricingLow initial prices strategy
- penetration testAuthorized security vulnerability assessment
penetrating, penetrate, penetration, penetrated, penetrative