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
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Another concern is that the olivine could cloud certain ocean areas and block light from penetrating to deeper depths.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 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
In 2018, the Blake Society invited Dickinson to perform during the rededication of Blake’s grave after his actual burial site had been revealed by ground-penetrating radar.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Another concern is that the olivine could cloud certain ocean areas and block light from penetrating to deeper depths.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penetrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetrating
Adjective
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The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Several drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk's chief rival Eli Lilly, have been racing to develop obesity pills, which may help alleviate the supply shortfalls and issues accessing the injections on the market.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
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But research has shown searches for virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow anyone to spoof their geographic location when accessing the internet, went up — as did traffic to sites that did not implement age verification systems.—
Jasmine Mithani,
Them.,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Creative differences led to a bitter falling out between Davies and Hodgson, who left the band in 1983.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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But to have the season’s only returning houseguest exit on a twist like this, and not even from gameplay, social standing or an eviction vote leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, to say the least.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Iniki is the Hawaiian word for sharp and piercing wind.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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That alone is amazing, said Timbrook, Depue and a representative for the soft body armor vest that stopped a bullet from piercing the officer’s chest.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Iniki is the Hawaiian word for sharp and piercing wind.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Known for his bold use of color, playful bows, and signature heart motifs, Kelly’s work mixed joy and wit with sharp social commentary.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new strategy aims to leverage Ford’s iconic brand while simultaneously signaling that the car company is entering a new era, Materazzo said.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Zeffy fundraiser that’s raised over $400,000 of its $737,000 goal will help engineers in Gaza buy and reuse materials — as aid entering Gaza is heavily restricted by Israel — to extend the hospital, Jboor and Hawash-Kuemmerle said.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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