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
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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
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Kim has called for the development of multi-warhead systems that would improve the chances of penetrating missile defenses, and some experts say the Hwasong-20 could be designed for that purpose.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
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
Dramiga died from blunt force and penetrating trauma to the head.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Kim has called for the development of multi-warhead systems that would improve the chances of penetrating missile defenses, and some experts say the Hwasong-20 could be designed for that purpose.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penetrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrating
Adjective
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But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Under the cloud services loophole, Chinese companies barred from accessing cutting-edge chips can use Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services overseas instead to train their AI models.—
Byron Tau,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That clash of emotions — celebration of a dream season and commiseration over its bitter conclusion — sat on the central clubhouse table.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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To come to its conclusion, the team had 48 participants sample an array of tomato juices with different flavor profiles, including sweet, salty, and bitter options.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ask piercing questions that shift the way the community thinks as Mercury aligns with Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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During The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion, Eva turned heads with her glowing makeup, perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and piercing eyes.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Hyderabad, the jump was even sharper, rising from 8 leadership roles in 2024 to 42 year to date.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Southeast could also briefly experience blustery winds and a sharp cold snap, with frost or even a hard freeze reaching inland areas as far south as Georgia and the Carolinas by Tuesday morning.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ballard said in August, when asked why he should be trusted to turn the team around given his lackluster resume entering Year 9.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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Hall wanted to leave New York, as the team is entering a rebuild after trading away some of its best players.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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