Synonyms for penetrate

verb

1. To pierce

   bore, perforate, enter, insert, go through, make an entrance, stick into, jab, thrust, stab, force a way, make a hole, run into, seep in, filter in, run through, punch, puncture, drive into, stick, drill, ream, eat through, spear, impale, wound, gore, sting, prick, transfix, sink into, knife, bayonet, go through, pass through.

   Antonyms leave*, withdraw, turn aside.

2. To permeate

   enter, infiltrate, seep; see filter. 1.

3. To understand

   discern, perceive, grasp, comprehend, fathom; see also understand 1.