penetrate
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb
pl: nullpast: penetratedpp: penetrateding: penetratingcomp: nullsup: null
This word carries a strong sense of piercing or breaking through a barrier, whether that barrier is physical, social, or intellectual. It suggests a forceful entry that overcomes resistance, often implying a depth of intrusion that changes the state of the object being entered.
Meanings
Transitive Verb
[something][something]
To force a way into or through something.
"The bullet was able to penetrate the armor."
Intransitive Verb
[something]
To pass into or through a substance or area.
"The rain began to penetrate the thick canopy."
Transitive Verb
[someone][something]
To succeed in understanding or solving something complex.
"The detective struggled to penetrate the mystery of the locked room."