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
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025
On June 22, the United States launched an attack on Fordo, an Iranian nuclear enrichment facility buried deep within a mountain, using the deepest-penetrating conventional bomb the United States has ever built.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 20 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
Such an aircraft would be designed for penetrating surveillance, long-range communications, and intelligence gathering, and would be less likely to be detected.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025
On June 22, the United States launched an attack on Fordo, an Iranian nuclear enrichment facility buried deep within a mountain, using the deepest-penetrating conventional bomb the United States has ever built.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 20 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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Guidelines for accessing company data on phones, tablets and other devices—whether personal or company-issued—should be outlined in a strong policy.—
Mike Rosen,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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These likewise have options for increasing the RAM and storage or accessing more powerful Intel Core Ultra V-series chips.—
Jorge Jimenez,
PC Magazine,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Parsley is a biennial that quickly bolts and dies the second year, and since second-year parsley is bitter, it’s typically grown as an annual.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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Whenever these bitter rivals have met in recent years, there has never been a shortage of offense.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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