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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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026 Sure, there’s an air of elegance that pervades with guests often embodying that quiet luxury vibe, but that doesn’t spoil the authenticity of the resort, which is a destination for those seeking a blend of sun, sand and sophistication—no matter what designer label your shoes happen to be. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026 Maybe her most important one is the raw sentimentality that pervades even seemingly vapid moments. —E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026 And that's a theme that pervades this entire case. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pervade
Cite this Entry
“Pervade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/pervade. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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