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 mind

   a penetrating voice

Other Word Forms

• penetratingly adverb
• penetratingness noun
• nonpenetrating adjective
• unpenetrating adjective
• unpenetratingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrating¹

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

Synonym Study

See acute.

Example Sentences

The stocky build had dwindled to slimness, the thick silver hair tinted black, and the distinctive Ashton nose altered with putty, but those dark and penetrating eyes would be impossible to mistake.

Read more on Literature

He was a big man, with a cold and penetrating stare.

Read more on Literature

After an initial attack, the 17-year-old went back into the house, returning with a kitchen knife, stabbing Mr Aman through his clothes, penetrating his heart.

Read more on BBC

By analyzing the plume material, scientists can assess subsurface conditions without penetrating the crust.

Read more on Science Daily

The psychiatrist’s penetrating knowledge of Göring’s character is supposed to be critical to the prosecution, but though the movie keeps telling us this happened, it does not convince.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• astute 
• incisive 
• perceptive 
• profound 
• shrewd