penetrating

[ pen-i-trey-ting ]

adjective

1. able or tending to penetrate; piercing; sharp: a penetrating glance.

   a penetrating shriek;

   a penetrating glance.

2. acute; discerning:

   a penetrating observation.

   Synonyms: sharp, keen

   Antonyms: obtuse

3. Surgery. noting a wound that pierces the skin, especially a deep wound entering an organ or body cavity.

penetrating

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to or able to penetrate

   a penetrating voice

   a penetrating mind

Derived Forms

• ˈpeneˌtratingly, adverb

Other Words From

• pene·trating·ly adverb
• pene·trating·ness noun
• non·pene·trating adjective
• un·pene·trating adjective
• un·pene·trating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrating¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; penetrat(e) + -ing ²

Synonym Study

See acute.

Example Sentences

As mentioned, Far UV is far less penetrating and safe for direct exposure of room occupants.

From Time

Now, Fermi was doing something similar, but with a more penetrating probe.

From Science News

His brown eyes were penetrating yet peaceful, and he immediately disarmed my nervousness with his gentleness.

From The Daily Beast

And I have found peace in this land of sun, sand, conflict, religion, history, and penetrating eyes.

From The Daily Beast

His penetrating gaze and rich voice made you believe him; whatever it was he was selling, you bought it.

From The Daily Beast

This penetrating style of portraiture works on the subtlest of emotional responses as well.

From The Daily Beast

It also illustrates the perils of penetrating al Qaeda networks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

From The Daily Beast

Calm under fire, he possessed a sure and penetrating coup d'œil; he had great experience in war.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a loose hairy benignant face with a humorous but penetrating eye and the usual domelike brow.

From Project Gutenberg

It was shrill, it was penetrating, it rose and fell with a sort of ripping, tearing slash.

From Project Gutenberg

Now and then - 63 -he turns his head slowly as he leads, and rests these keen, penetrating orbs on the sea of dancers below him.

From Project Gutenberg

Some were for trying a new line of road, and for penetrating into Guzerat through Rajpootana.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• astute
• incisive
• perceptive
• profound
• shrewd