penetrating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpe-nə-ˌtrā-tiŋ How to pronounce penetrating (audio)
Definition of penetratingnext
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin an icy, penetrating rain that made you feel really miserable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

penetrating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of penetrate
as in accessing
to go or come in or into a needle penetrated the heavy canvas only with great effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penetrating
Adjective
Those pictures are much more penetrating then the pictures of walls with bullet holes. — Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2023 Nachmanides takes a different approach and offers perhaps the most penetrating psychological insight. — Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2022
Verb
Like Grey, Willis was a petite brunette with penetrating eyes. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 Aufderheide and Quinn offer a penetrating analysis of the way Kartemquin Films departed from the Griersonian model of documentary filmmaking that predominated in much of the English-speaking world in the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, and even beyond. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for penetrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrating
  1. biting
  2. accessing
  3. bitter
  4. piercing
  5. sharp
  6. entering
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Verb
  • Delays in contact tracing, difficulties accessing affected areas, mistrust from communities, and violence by armed groups and some residents have hampered the response, the Africa CDC has said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Minnesota officials, immigration lawyers and others alleged the conditions within the building were deplorable, citing a surfeit of beds and bathroom facilities, leg restraints for detainees and barriers to accessing legal aid.
    — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of accessing
Adjective
  • Sometimes the mood turned bitter, with fights erupting over insignificant matters.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Not that Tottenham Hotspur appear willing to consider an approach from their neighbours and bitter rivals for their captain, let alone sanction a sale.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitter
Verb
  • The woman eventually managed to escape and ran to a neighbor for help, WPLG reported, adding that her piercing screams were captured on home surveillance video.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The company has been piercing girls and their mothers for nearly five decades with 131 million ears pierced to date.
    — Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of piercing
Adjective
  • Yarmosky looks to have a go-to outfit formula, too, keeping things low-key and sharp with tailored pants and simple knits.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2026
  • That reshuffle opened the door for Amad, who shone on the right with a bustling performance, unsettling PSG with his sharp dribbling and laying on an assist for Mbeumo.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharp
Verb
  • Thanks largely to the explosive growth of NCAA beach volleyball, the United States now possesses remarkable depth entering the LA28 cycle.
    — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • According to a Reuters report, entering this competitive but high-margin market, as well as the large SUV segment, is the path forward, since both are areas the automaker currently ignores.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of entering

Browse Nearby Words

penetrates
penetrating
penetration
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Cite this Entry

“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on penetrating

Nglish: Translation of penetrating for Spanish Speakers

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