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 For example, the company could retain a piece of the digital business or enter into an agreement with the new entity to run the business. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025 Under the Biden parole processes, launched in January 2023, more than 531,000 individuals legally entered the United States from the four countries. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025 Afterward, everyone entered the reception space, which was black and white themed with green accents. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Two teams that found themselves with high hopes to enter the season are fighting for their playoff lives as the Philadelphia 76ers (23-46) travel to Texas to take on the San Antonio Spurs (29-39) in a matchup both teams need to win. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enter
Verb
  • Since most boar spears had cross-guard features near the spearhead, this was often used to trigger the gun once the spear had penetrated the prey.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Not so much playing laterally, two-gapping or even penetrating in gaps.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Platt joined as the group’s lead vocalist in 2014.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In a recent interview with Today, Menzel shared her thoughts about her son recently joining her on the red carpet.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The temperature inside the Ehrlich family's car was recorded at 96.2 degrees at 3:45 p.m. that day, even though the air temperature outside in Lakewood, New Jersey, was 67.8 degrees, the affidavit said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Indian hair oiling has become big business Hair oiling is an Indian tradition recorded in ancient Sanskrit medicinal texts like Charaka Samhita, and passed on through the centuries.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The films will have limited theatrical engagements before receiving video-on-demand and physical media releases.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Quantum internet removes that risk by ensuring only the sender and receiver can read a message, so not even the hosting platform can access it.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a tip which focuses on widgets, to provide personalized news, weather, calendar reminders and more, explaining that they’re accessed by pressing the Windows and W keys.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Allen rejoined Gang of Four for a reunion with the core lineup in the mid-’00s.
    Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2025
  • And, of course, the rotation that Bubic has rejoined with a certain undaunted presence through a precarious path since being rapid-fired from A-ball to the majors in 2020.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The school’s website as of Friday evening did not have Sierra listed as the coach.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The two-star players were listed as questionable for this contest on the original report.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To get an empty eggshell, pierce small holes on either end of a fresh, raw egg with a needle and gently blow the contents out into a bowl.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Wolf, Puss in Boots’s big villain, had piercing red eyes; Sinners’s villain Remmick (Jack O’Connell) has piercing red eyes.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enter. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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