Synonyms

penetrative

American

[pen-i-trey-tiv] / ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪ tɪv /

adjective

tending to penetrate; piercing.
acute; keen.

Other Word Forms

penetratively adverb
penetrativeness noun
penetrativity noun
unpenetrative adjective
unpenetratively adverb

Etymology

Origin of penetrative

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

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.

Unless there are recurring, penetrative rains in August, the family will sell half of its herd.

From Los Angeles Times

The wounds were "penetrative and clean", and caused by a sharp article such as a knife, he added.

From BBC

The report says mobile phones "reveal patterns of our daily personal and professional lives and enable penetrative insights into our actions, behaviour, beliefs, and state of mind".

From BBC

Last season, inconsistent as he was, he remained United’s most penetrative player.

From The Guardian

Clare Carlisle, in her sparkling, penetrative new biography, “Philosopher of the Heart: The Restless Life of Soren Kierkegaard,” explains how Kierkegaard ran against the philosophical grain of his time.

From Washington Post

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