Did you know?
English speakers borrowed pervade in the mid-17th century from Latin pervadere, meaning "to go through." Pervadere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix per-, meaning "through," with the verb vadere, meaning "to go." Synonyms of pervade include permeate, impregnate, and saturate. Pervade stresses a spreading diffusion throughout every part of a whole ("art and music pervade every aspect of their lives"). Permeate implies diffusion specifically throughout a material thing ("the smell of freshly baked bread permeated the house"). Impregnate suggests a forceful influence or effect on something throughout ("impregnate the cotton with alcohol"). Saturate is used when nothing more may be taken up or absorbed ("the cloth is saturated with water").
Examples of pervade in a Sentence
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Strengthening our security also depends on addressing the subversive DEI ideology that has undermined our national unity and pervaded our culture.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Given the sheer amount of combat in each game, there can be a feeling of sameness that pervades over time.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
But Van der Steene said shipping companies expect the volatility that has pervaded global trade since Covid to be back in 2025.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pervade
Cite this Entry
“Pervade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pervade. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share