IMPREGNATE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'impregnate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of impregnate are drench , saturate , soak , and steep . While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. // a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Q: When could 'drench' be used to replace 'impregnate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to impregnate , drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured. // clothes drenched by a cloudburst

Q: When might 'saturate' be a better fit than 'impregnate'?

The words saturate and impregnate can be used in similar contexts, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. // a saturated sponge

Q: Where would 'soak' be a reasonable alternative to 'impregnate'?

While the synonyms soak and impregnate are close in meaning, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. // soak the garment in soapy water

Q: In what contexts can 'steep' take the place of 'impregnate'?

In some situations, the words steep and impregnate are roughly equivalent. However, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed. // steep the tea for five minutes

impregnate

verb

im-ˈpreg-ˌnāt

Definition of impregnate next

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid impregnated the cloth with furniture polish

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word impregnate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of impregnate are drench, saturate, soak, and steep. While all these words mean "to permeate or be permeated with a liquid," impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

When could drench be used to replace impregnate?

While in some cases nearly identical to impregnate, drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

When might saturate be a better fit than impregnate?

The words saturate and impregnate can be used in similar contexts, but saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

Where would soak be a reasonable alternative to impregnate?

While the synonyms soak and impregnate are close in meaning, soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

In what contexts can steep take the place of impregnate?

In some situations, the words steep and impregnate are roughly equivalent. However, steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

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 impregnate The teacher, say authorities, was allegedly impregnated by the alleged victim and had his child. —

Nicole Acosta, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025 One contributing reason was that the boy who impregnated her was abusive, violent and three years her senior. —

Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Women become impregnated by swarms of mosquitoes and then use socket drivers to drill holes into human men and drink their blood. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024 Instead, the narrative focuses on Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne), a factory worker in the wake of World War I who is impregnated by her rich boss and then discarded after his mother disapproves. —

Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impregnate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impregnate

Verb

It’s made by soaking ground fenugreek for several hours; beating it to a consistency that registers somewhere between meringue and Cool Whip; and then stirring in a puree of scallions and herbs.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
But if not, wet mopping can harm your floors since there's no barrier to stop water from soaking the wood.

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025