to pierce or pass into or through

The bullet penetrated the wall. The fog lights penetrated the mist.

to enter the interior of

to penetrate a forest.

to enter and diffuse itself through; permeate.

to arrive at the truth or meaning of; understand; comprehend

to penetrate a mystery.

to obtain a share of (a market)

to penetrate the Canadian coffee market.

to affect or impress (the mind or feelings) deeply.

to extend influence, usually peacefully, into the affairs of (another country).

to enter, reach, or pass through something, as by piercing

We penetrated to the interior of the Kasbah.

to be diffused through something.

to understand or read the meaning of something.

to have a deep effect or impact on someone.

verb

exit , take out , withdraw , misconstrue , misinterpret , misunderstand

verb

access , barge in , bayonet , blow in , bore , break in , breeze in , bust in , charge , come , crack , diffuse , drill , drive , eat through , encroach , enter , filter in , force , get in , gore , go through , impale , infiltrate , ingress , insert , insinuate , introduce , invade , jab , knife , make a hole , make an entrance , pass through , percolate , perforate , permeate , pervade , pop in , prick , probe , puncture , ream , run into , saturate , seep , sink into , spear , stab , stick into , suffuse , thrust , trespassnotes:the difference between permeate and pervade is that the former is affecting a surface , the latter an area; a characteristic of penetrate is that it is effected upon a solid substance , affect , become clear , come across * , comprehend , decipher , discern , fathom , figure out , get across * , get over * , get through , get to the bottom , grasp , impress , perceive , put over , see through , sink in * , soak in * , touch , unravel , work outnotes:the difference between permeate and pervade is that the former is affecting a surface , break , pierce , come in , go in , absorb , explore , imbue , interpenetrate , stick , understand