1
2
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

3
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

4
as in to receive
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the club enters only five new members a year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Jayden Daniels enters the Lions’ den against a Detroit defense that played above its heads against the Vikings. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025 Before the soldiers could enter the chamber, parliament unanimously voted to overturn martial law, leading to its end six hours later. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Jan. 2025 The star was listed as questionable entering the game against Atlanta. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 After the first quarter ended with the score tied at 22, the Jazz dominated the Heat 40-19 in the second quarter to enter halftime with a 21-point lead. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enter 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter
Verb
  • Next, a tri-grit priming wand steps in to remove dead nail cells and allow for the third step—a hydrating treatment—to penetrate more effectively.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Jan. 2025
  • City could not penetrate Chelsea’s press in the period after going behind to that early goal.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • McKenzie was the Oakland Raiders’ GM from 2012 to 2018 before joining the Dolphins at the start of the rebuild with Grier at GM and when Brian Flores was hired as coach.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Richard Nixon recorded the lowest approval rating in history—24 percent—just before resigning in August 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.
    Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • After winning the show in 2005, Underwood received what was standard for Idol champions: a recording contract with Hollywood Records, including $125,000 upfront for beginning her first album, another $125,000 upon completion, and a $300,000 advance for album production.
    Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In March, 2023, TikTok’s C.E.O., Shou Chew, testified for more than five hours before Congress, receiving a bipartisan bludgeoning over the harms the app may be inflicting on children.
    Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
  • At the time of writing, the post has received 90,000 upvotes and over 4,000 comments from other Reddit users, many of whom praised the teen's enthusiasm.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • TikTok briefly shut down the app in the U.S. over the weekend, leaving American users unable to access the platform for more than 12 hours starting late Saturday night.
    Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Google Google's tools for managing your family and keeping your kids safe can be set up and accessed via the Your family on Google page on the web.
    David Nield, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Mourning eventually rejoined the Heat for that 2006 title run, with his No. 33 Heat jersey retired in 2009.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But as of Sunday night, a deal was not close and the possibility of Butler rejoining the Heat at the end of the week is becoming more likely with each passing day.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After week two, per theater averages only listed for expanding films with under 100 theaters.
    Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Two out of every three programs listed in response to DeSantis’ directive was an undergraduate class or other campus program that had no obvious connection to a DEI office, according to a Herald analysis of the information provided to the state by public universities.
    Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The gang, armed with rifles powerful enough to pierce an armored vehicle, is believed to have attacked from an alleyway along a winding dirt road between the embassy and the housing compound that isn’t always visible even when security measures are taken.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025
  • This Ogden piercing fanatic deserves a follow simply for documenting his hilarious transition from TikTok to RedNote, complete with his first lip sync'ed Chinese love song.
    Erin Alberty, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near enter

Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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