- present participle of penetrate.
penetrating
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See acute.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of penetrating
First recorded in 1590–1600; penetrat(e) + -ing 2
Vocabulary lists containing penetrating
"Animal Wisdom" and "The Last Wolf," Vocabulary from the poems
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Skellig
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Insightful
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nothing is more sublime than transitioning from Jimin’s penetrating vocals of “You know how we do!” on “2.0” directly to the deep reverberations of the ancient bell that soothe and reset.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
One kick, as Q-Tip herself explains in one of her thought-bubble monologues, is capable of penetrating a steel wall.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
“There have been thousands of targets hit with thousands of sorties penetrating contested airspace. It’s been an entire month and this is the first time we’ve had a combat loss? That’s incredible.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
To study its terrain, scientists must rely on radar imaging capable of penetrating the cloud layer.
From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026
They cite the great penetrating power of radiation, but doubt that chemicals could reach the germ cells.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
