pervade

[ per-veyd ]

verb (used with object)

, per·vad·ed, per·vad·ing.

1. to become spread throughout all parts of:

   Spring pervaded the air.

   Synonyms: fill, diffuse

pervade

/ pɜːˈveɪʒən; pɜːˈveɪd /

verb

1. tr to spread through or throughout, esp subtly or gradually; permeate

Derived Forms

• pervasion, noun
• perˈvader, noun

Other Words From

• per·vader noun
• per·vading·ly adverb
• per·vading·ness noun
• per·va·sion [per-, vey, -zh, uh, n], noun
• per·va·sive [per-, vey, -siv], adjective
• inter·per·vade verb (used with object) interpervaded interpervading
• unper·vaded adjective
• unper·vading adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervade¹

1645–55; < Latin pervādere to pass through, equivalent to per- per- + vādere to go, walk

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervade¹

C17: from Latin pervādere, from per- through + vādere to go

Example Sentences

Even in its earliest manifestations, there was a peculiar combination of grooving energy and inherent sadness in their music that would pervade their hitmaking efforts with Fleetwood Mac and beyond.

From Salon

"These biases pervade the field of alcohol epidemiology and can confuse communications about health risks."

From Salon

“And I just don’t think it will be controlled. I think it will pervade the culture.”

From New York Times

The silence of SpaceX management about Musk’s conduct, the letter said, allowed a “culture of sexism, harassment and discrimination” to “pervade ... the workplace.”

From Los Angeles Times

In his novel, “Saturday,” Ian McEwan explores the dread and anxiety that pervade otherwise happy lives in an age when terrorists slam planes into buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• infuse
• penetrate
• permeate
• suffuse