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 voice

   a penetrating mind

Derived Forms

• ˈpeneˌtratingly, adverb

Other Words From

• pene·trating·ly adverb
• pene·trating·ness noun
• non·pene·trating adjective
• un·pene·trating adjective
• un·pene·trating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrating¹

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

Synonym Study

See acute.

Example Sentences

These missiles, which are launched from an aircraft, fly close to the speed of sound and carry highly explosive warheads making them an ideal weapon for penetrating Russian bunkers and ammunition stores.

From BBC

Similarly, they can play penetrating passes forward, or they can use the wide areas and attack with the wingers overlapping.

From BBC

Without sunlight penetrating the darkness, simple life on land or in shallow water that relied on photosynthesis would have been wiped out.

From BBC

This will slowly come into view as the probe uses penetrating radio waves to peer beneath the icy crust — much like an X-ray machine.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a penetrating biopic, and while it may take a familiar shape, the pioneering woman at the center was anything but traditional.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astute
• incisive
• perceptive
• profound
• shrewd