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 has a voice not dissimilar in timbre and penetrative ability to the incredibly annoying comedian Stephen Merchant.

From The Daily Beast

He saw the royal glance, cold and penetrative, before which all bowed and heads were bared.

From Project Gutenberg

Gozzi was gifted with a penetrative and observant mind, strong sense of humour, and a power of brilliant description.

From Project Gutenberg

After a series of penetrative flashes, flattering to her intelligence the more startling they were, reflection was exhausted.

From Project Gutenberg

They had a curiously penetrative quality, too, which seemed to dispel the repugnant effect of the accident.

From Project Gutenberg

Some are able to draw conclusions well from a few premisses, and this shows a penetrative intellect.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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