sinks in
Becomes fully understood
When something sinks in, it gradually becomes understood or felt.
News takes time to sink in, especially when unexpected: It took a few days for the reality of the diagnosis to sink in.
The image is of liquid being absorbed—meaning penetrates slowly rather than registering immediately.
- internalizesMakes part of oneself
- comprehendsMentally takes in
- dawns onBegins to be understood
- penetratesPasses into or through
- resonatesEvokes strong feeling
hits home · immerses · submerges · settle · settles in · permeates · grasps · accepts · anchors · registers · clicks · processes · saturates · absorbs · buries · assimilates · soak · dissolves
- settling downmarriage, marries, homeownership, buying a house, starting a family
retention/absorption
sinks inrolls off
Fails to adhere
washes over · evaporates · fades away · slips away · deflects