Meaning & use
penetrated
Last updated
“penetrated” is a form of “penetrate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Went into or through something, especially by force or with effort.
Grammar: Can take an object (penetrated the wall) or be used without one (the bullet penetrated deeply).
Patterns
- penetrate something
- penetrate into something
- penetrate through something
The bullet penetrated the wooden door and lodged in the wall.
Sunlight barely penetrated the thick forest canopy.
The drill penetrated through the metal sheet in seconds.
verbtransitivebusinessmilitary
Succeeded in entering a market, group, or area that was difficult to reach.
Grammar: Takes an object: penetrate a market. Often used in business and military contexts.
Patterns
- penetrate a market
- penetrate enemy territory
The company penetrated the Asian market within two years.
Enemy forces penetrated deep into the country before being stopped.
verbtransitivefigurative
Was understood or felt deeply by someone.
Grammar: Takes an object, often 'someone's mind' or 'someone's heart'.
Patterns
- penetrate someone's mind
- penetrate someone's consciousness
The meaning of her words slowly penetrated his mind.
A sense of fear penetrated the whole community.
Word forms
| base form | penetrate |
|---|---|
| third person singular | penetrates |
| present participle | penetrating |
| past tense | penetrated |
| past participle | penetrated |
Common combinations
- penetrate a market
- The startup hopes to penetrate the European market next year.
- penetrate deeply
- The knife penetrated deeply into the soft earth.
- penetrate the surface
- The roots have penetrated the surface of the concrete.
- penetrate someone's mind
- The idea gradually penetrated her mind.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pierce
- Suggests making a small hole through something, often with a sharp point; 'penetrate' is more general and can also mean entering a market or group.
- enter
- Simply means going into a place; 'penetrate' often implies force, difficulty, or going deep.
- permeate
- Means spreading through every part of something, like a smell or liquid; 'penetrate' focuses on going into or through a barrier.
Opposites
Word family
- penetration noun
- The act of going into or through something, or the depth reached.
- penetrating adjective
- Able to go deeply into something; also describes a sharp, intelligent look or a loud, piercing sound.
- penetrable adjective
- Can be entered or passed through.
- impenetrable adjective
- Impossible to go through or understand.
Commonly confused: penetrated or permeated?
penetrated vs permeated
Permeated means spread throughout something (like a smell in a room); penetrated means went into or through a barrier.
Practice
The bullet ______ the thick metal plate and hit the wall behind it.
Choose one answer.
'Penetrated' is the correct past tense to show the bullet went through the metal. 'Permeated' means spread through, not broke through. 'Penetrating' is a participle and would need a helping verb. 'Penetrates' is present tense and does not fit the past-time sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “penetrated”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.