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
Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Another tell-tale sign of hard soil is having difficulty penetrating it with hand tools and small equipment.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 23 May 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
Techniques that Armonda helped pioneer in Iraq eventually became the standard for soldiers and civilians around the world with penetrating brain injuries.
—Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Another tell-tale sign of hard soil is having difficulty penetrating it with hand tools and small equipment.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 23 May 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
-
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
-
Ninety percent of the crypto market volume is in these perpetual contracts that were trading offshore, and Americans were accessing these products, and there was absolutely no regulation.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
-
There are a handful of different options retirees have for accessing their home equity in this economic landscape.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
To be whole without the effort of stretching oneself out, without the exercise that leaves a bitter taste.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Kennedy’s efforts showed how bitter rivals could nevertheless work toward a common goal.—
Abigail R. Hall,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
According to Sadriu, the firearm, which was allegedly loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, was seized as evidence.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
5 June 2026
-
As Stankiewicz attempted to utter another sentence, the train’s ear-piercing horn sounded.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Things take a sharp pivot when Liz and Dolores arrive at the Rhode Island State House.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Ben-Gvir has come under sharp condemnation from other Israeli leaders for making controversial videos, such as his treatment of flotilla activists who were detained after attempting to break the maritime blockade of Gaza.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs outlasted New York 115-111 in Game 3, trimming the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 entering Wednesday’s Game 4.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
The Rockies, 25-42 entering Wednesday night’s game, are headed toward their eighth consecutive losing season.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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