pervade
9 synonyms for pervade, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To spread through every part of something, so that its presence is felt everywhere.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use pervade
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pervade the atmosphere
pervade society
pervade every aspect
a sense of unease pervaded
Formal to neutral; common in literary and analytical writing.
Etymology
From Latin pervadere, from per- 'through' and vadere 'to go'.
Full origin of pervade →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pervade and permeate?
They are close synonyms. Permeate leans towards physical passage through a material, as with liquid or gas; pervade is more often used of atmospheres, smells, moods and ideas spreading through a place or group.
Is pervade positive or negative?
It is neutral in itself, but in practice it is used slightly more often of unwelcome things such as fear, corruption or damp.
