Synonyms of penetrating

penetrating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpe-nə-ˌtrā-tiŋ 

as in biting

causing intense discomfort to one's skin

an icy, penetrating rain that made you feel really miserable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• biting
• bitter
• sharp
• piercing
• brisk
• stinging
• cutting
• keen
• shrewd
• raw
• smarting
• caustic
• corrosive
• invigorating
• snappy
• needlelike
• prickly
• tingling
• nippy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• mild
• soothing
• balmy

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

• accessing
• piercing
• entering
• invading
• stepping into
• setting foot in
• infiltrating
• bursting (in or into)
• dropping in
• encroaching
• waltzing (in)
• intruding
• popping (in)
• wandering (into)
• straying (into)
• barging (in)
• breezing (in)
• trespassing
• infringing
• crashing
• gate-crashing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leaving
• departing
• exiting

Example Sentences

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

Companies also are trying to get Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain faster and at higher volumes by penetrating the protective lining meant to shield the brain from harm. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Trees and shrubs may benefit from moisture penetrating even deeper into the root zone. — Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026