as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
an icy, penetrating rain that made you feel really miserable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of penetrating
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
Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
The furry white marsupials, which waddle back into remote areas — places where humans would not otherwise set foot — are almost like spies penetrating the secret lives of pythons.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
The medical examiner’s report notes two penetrating wounds, one to the left lower chest and one to the right abdomen, along with the dismemberment of both arms and legs, with the legs each cut in two different places.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
The furry white marsupials, which waddle back into remote areas — places where humans would not otherwise set foot — are almost like spies penetrating the secret lives of pythons.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penetrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrating
Adjective
-
Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
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The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Indonesia began implementing a new government regulation at the end of March banning children younger than 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams and cyberbullying.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Investing in training and accessing programs to support internships, apprenticeships or training for incumbent workers through Maryland MEP, Maryland Department of Labor and others can be invaluable for long-term success.—
Mike Kelleher,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During Chicago’s bitter winter of 2013-2014, the Humboldt Park Lagoon froze over, and snow piled on top of the thick layer of ice, plunging vegetation into a deadly darkness.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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Blake Lively agreed to settle her retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, dodging a trial over the bitter Hollywood feud weeks before it was set to begin and bringing an end to a conflict that has sparked widespread interest for nearly two years.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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One thing that tacticians noticed in the closing months of the war was how lighter, faster tanks were effective when used as offensive tools, piercing through enemy lines in order to flank enemy formations.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
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When used correctly, that power can be harnessed for good, heightening the citrus fruit’s bright, piercing notes to soaring new heights.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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To her surprise, Gary loves the idea of getting away from their terrible clients and neighbors, but Orson, who’s lately taken a sharp-right turn to the manosphere, is having none of it.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
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That moment, however, didn’t come without criticism, and Seymour still remembers the sharp commentary that came as a result of the exaggerated hairstyle.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Before entering high school, Andrew’s Sean Gagen had a choice to make.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
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The 6-8 Barlow, who averaged just under nine postseason minutes per game off the bench entering Game 2, totaled 16 minutes Wednesday.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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