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
Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Largely forgotten for decades, the grave site was discovered by historians and geologists using ground-penetrating radar.
—ABC News, 14 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
Donald’s aggressive, penetrating style differed from the traditional approach used by many interior defenders, who use their bulk to clog running lanes and absorb blockers and raise their arms to try to deflect passes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Largely forgotten for decades, the grave site was discovered by historians and geologists using ground-penetrating radar.
—ABC News, 14 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
-
In higher-risk scenarios such as financial transfers or accessing sensitive information, KYA allows organizations to verify that a real human is actively approving an action, and preventing bad actors or rogue AI agents from causing harm.—
Andrew Sever,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Kalshi has also put in safeguards to prevent kids from accessing the platform, including asking some new users for a live selfie before they are approved for an account and using facial recognition when signing in.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Fortune,
28 May 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 11 Jun. 2026.
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