penetrating

American  

[pen-i-trey-ting] / ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪ tɪŋ /

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 British  

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to or able to penetrate

   a penetrating mind

   a penetrating voice

---

Related Words

See acute.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of penetrating

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

Example Sentences

Less-lethal munitions such as beanbag rounds are designed to spread the force of impact over a larger area, without penetrating the skin, offering officers an alternative to bullets when defending against threats.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

They will see a building dedicated to James T. Kirk; they will hear hints of the original theme music penetrating the soundtrack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

He replaced Ismaila Sarr just after Bakambu's opener, and made the leveller from a penetrating run down the right.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

This small, naturally occurring gas appears capable of penetrating the nail plate far more effectively than existing topical drugs.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2025

I had just about convinced myself that I had escaped successfully when a quiet, penetrating voice beside me said, "That was a masterful bit of persuasion, brother."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Related Words

• astute
• incisive
• perceptive
• profound
• shrewd