Synonyms

penetrating

American

[pen-i-trey-ting] / ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

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

a penetrating shriek;
a penetrating glance.
acute; discerning.

a penetrating observation.

Synonyms:

sharp, keen

Antonyms:

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

penetrating British

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪtɪŋ /

adjective

tending to or able to penetrate

a penetrating mind
a penetrating voice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He died of a heart attack at 37, leaving behind pieces on pop culture that also functioned as penetrating social critique.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Science Daily

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.

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023