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penetrative

[ pen-i-trey-tiv ]

/ ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪ tɪv /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR penetrative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to penetrate; piercing.

acute; keen.

RELATED WORDS

penetrating, shrewd, astute, sharp, intelligent, smart, perceptive, incisive, profound, knowing, wise, intuitive, observant, knowledgeable, discerning, discreet, insightful, brainy, acute, brilliant

Nearby words

penetrate, penetrating, penetrating wound, penetration, penetration aid, penetrative, penetrometer, peneus, penfield, peng dehuai, penghu

Origin of penetrative

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word penetrātīvus. See penetrate, -ive

Related formspen·e·tra·tive·ly, adverbpen·e·tra·tive·ness, pen·e·tra·tiv·i·ty

[pen-i-truh-tiv-i-tee] /ˌpɛn ɪ trəˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounun·pen·e·tra·tive, adjectiveun·pen·e·tra·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for penetrative

He has a voice not dissimilar in timbre and penetrative ability to the incredibly annoying comedian Stephen Merchant.
The Addictive Curse of ‘Let’s Plays’|Tom Sykes|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The postmaster was only acquainted up to then with the penetrative power of the local weapon.
Through Arctic Lapland|Cutcliffe Hyne
While speaking he still bent his penetrative eye upon them, nor withdrew it till they had reached the bottom of the stairs.
Twice Told Tales|Nathaniel Hawthorne
Gozzi was gifted with a penetrative and observant mind, strong sense of humour, and a power of brilliant description.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi

The sky was overcast, not exactly promising a storm, but soft and penetrative, as if presaging sorrow.
A Little Girl in Old Boston|Amanda Millie Douglas
Avalanches thundered from the Breithorn and Lyskamm, telling of a penetrative moisture in the air.
Among the Forces|Henry White Warren