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
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
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
SkyFall’s helicopters will be a bit larger than Ingenuity, with enough lift to carry not just a camera but also basic weather equipment and ground-penetrating radar—instruments that would gather observations primarily during each vehicle’s short flights.
—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
22 June 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
Commercial grout cleaners can be more effective than DIY solutions since these cleaners have a higher concentration of penetrating chemicals.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
SkyFall’s helicopters will be a bit larger than Ingenuity, with enough lift to carry not just a camera but also basic weather equipment and ground-penetrating radar—instruments that would gather observations primarily during each vehicle’s short flights.
—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for penetrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrating
Adjective
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So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
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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.
Verb
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Surfacing the right data at the right time is critical for physicians but accessing relevant information remains too difficult.
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The housing development provides wraparound services, including case management, counseling, support navigating resources, assistance accessing behavioral health treatment and employment, and organized social events.
Adjective
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Looking for a silver lining Some analysts fear that the friction over the 250th celebrations, especially the national ones, may end up reinforcing the nation's bitter divide rather than providing a respite from it.
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This inverts the usual analysis of American politics, that our bitter culture wars will always resolve down to questions like affordability.
Verb
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On the other hand, however, take a step back and the world-building is jaw-dropping; on a big screen, Rogue Trooper is almost overwhelming, and Barnard becomes an almost godlike presence by the end with his piercing white eyes (don’t worry, it’s explained).
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If discovering tiny insect casings or sticky residue, this often indicates those insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that slowly siphon sap from plants, depleting their ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis.
Adjective
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Tourism in Albania has seen a sharp increase in recent years, with people relishing the nation’s vast, undeveloped coastline.
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Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.
Verb
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The shortstop had just 14 RBIs in his previous 48 games entering Tuesday.
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After making the playoffs, the Sabres are entering a window of contention, so that pick could be in play as part of another deal.
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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