penetrative

[ pen-i-trey-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending to penetrate; piercing.
2. acute; keen.

Other Words From

• pene·trative·ly adverb
• pene·trative·ness pen·e·tra·tiv·i·ty [pen-i-tr, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• un·pene·trative adjective
• un·pene·trative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrative¹

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

Example Sentences

He was found to have seven category A images - the most serious classification, which show serious abuse including penetrative sexual activity.

From BBC

Category A images show serious abuse including penetrative sexual activity.

From BBC

Category A images show serious abuse including penetrative sexual activity.

From BBC

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to nine charges including making and distributing indecent images, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy under 13 and sexual assault of a girl under 13.

From BBC

She also couldn’t complete pap smear exams and she found penetrative sex to be painful.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astute
• discerning
• discreet
• incisive
• insightful
• intuitive
• knowing
• knowledgeable
• observant
• penetrating
• wise