ENTER Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'enter' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enter are penetrate , pierce , and probe . While all these words mean "to make way into something," enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in. // entered the city in triumph

Q: Where would 'penetrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'enter'?

While the synonyms penetrate and enter are close in meaning, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance. // the enemy penetrated the fortress

Q: When can 'pierce' be used instead of 'enter'?

Although the words pierce and enter have much in common, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument. // pierced the boil with a lancet

Q: When is it sensible to use 'probe' instead of 'enter'?

In some situations, the words probe and enter are roughly equivalent. However, probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge. // probed the depths of the sea

enter

verb

ˈen-tər

Definition of enter

as in to penetrate

to go or come in or into the hikers entered the cave with considerable caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to join

to become a member of patriotic young men and women entering the armed services debutantes entering society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to record

to put (someone or something) on a list new voters fill out a form and elections officials enter their names into the database

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

delete

as in to receive

to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the club enters only five new members a year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enter are penetrate, pierce, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

Where would penetrate be a reasonable alternative to enter?

While the synonyms penetrate and enter are close in meaning, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When can pierce be used instead of enter?

Although the words pierce and enter have much in common, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When is it sensible to use probe instead of enter?

In some situations, the words probe and enter are roughly equivalent. However, probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of enter Instead, Vaquer entered the ring and took out both Lynch and Morgan. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Patel has said the security detail was necessary as Wilkins has received numerous death threats since entering the spotlight. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Wide Receiver ▪ After an unusually quiet game against Clemson (five catches, 40 yards), Malachi Toney enters the bye slotted fourth in the country in receiving yards (604), tied for sixth in TD catches (six) and seventh in receptions with 39. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 The Detroit rapper has entered a new chapter following a life-changing shooting in 2025. — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter

Verb

Low-band frequencies can travel long distances and penetrate dense structures.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
The Booster mode is designed to enhance the absorption of your skin-care products, helping active ingredients penetrate more effectively into the upper layers of the skin.

— Shani Cohen, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Verb

But Goldschmidt, still looking for a championship, was one of three Yankees who were restricted to first base or DH this year, joining García and Ben Rice.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Ning Hao is executive producer; Wen joined Ning’s Dirty Monkeys’ 72 Transformations Film Project in 2016.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of join

Verb

Damage to refineries and disrupted shipping from the wars in Iran and Ukraine have pushed diesel to record highs in many markets, feeding directly into trucking, farming, and freight costs.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of record

Verb

Both also received high-gloss visual treatments, the former starring Nicole Kidman and the latter narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, aka Gandalf.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Of 1,890 technology and security professionals, 82% had received employer security training.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of receive

Verb

The program, which allows members to access thousands of dollars' worth of Anthropic's Claude products and credits, is part of the AI company's efforts to strengthen ties to fast growing companies and founders.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
As a studio and producer, my ability to access disruptive, non-conventional voices is greater than ever.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of access

Verb

But the family and school have appealed for Avalyn to be eligible to rejoin her high school team upon her return home.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Greenlaw, who rejoined the Niners last offseason, forced a fumble and collected a dozen tackles in San Francisco's 24-14 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejoin

Verb

The government would only be able to use money collected through the sales tax items for the purposes listed on the ballot.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026
Vail is home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America and is known for its luxury real estate market where some properties are listed for tens of millions of dollars.

— Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of list

Verb

The sound of jackhammering in the Horsches’ backyard pierced the otherwise quiet street Wednesday afternoon.

— Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
Another piece sliced through his salivary gland before bouncing off his jaw and piercing the back of his neck, severing an artery and embedding in a vertebra.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of pierce

Browse Nearby Words

ententes

enter

enterable

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Style

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of enter

verb

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Phrases Containing enter

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Cite this Entry

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