penetration

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun penetration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of penetration are acumen, discernment, discrimination, insight, and perception. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

When is it sensible to use acumen instead of penetration?

The words acumen and penetration can be used in similar contexts, but acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

When would discernment be a good substitute for penetration?

The synonyms discernment and penetration are sometimes interchangeable, but discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

When is discrimination a more appropriate choice than penetration?

In some situations, the words discrimination and penetration are roughly equivalent. However, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

When can insight be used instead of penetration?

The meanings of insight and penetration largely overlap; however, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

When could perception be used to replace penetration?

The words perception and penetration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penetration Additionally, Guess is rebalancing its product assortment to increase penetration and offer more opening price point products. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 June 2025 The investment bank said credit card penetration in the U.S. still has room to run and that Visa's U.S. volume growth can outpace inflation for another decade. Alex Harring, CNBC, 5 June 2025 There could be tons of hypotheses about why a business is declining, or not seeing volume growth and household penetration. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 If applied as a thick mulch or top dressing, coffee grounds can form a dense mat that reduces water and air penetration into the soil. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for penetration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetration
Noun
  • Thanks to an extended frequency range, high sensitivity drivers and good temperature tolerance, these IEMs have a sound signature that’s closer to the type of sound produced by expensive electrostatic and planar-magnetic models.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • The official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, said Trump believes the immediate threat from Iran has been neutralized and that Netanyahu understood the U.S. position.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Her studies led her to psychotherapy for healing, like EMDR, and a better understanding of how the nervous system operates.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • The timing of that cease-fire was the source of some confusion, because there had been no formal agreement between Iran and Israel, just a general understanding.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.
    Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com, al, 20 Jan. 2023
  • But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.
    Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023
Noun
  • This alignment enables more sustainable execution and long-term mental acuity.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Biden's time in office was marked by concerns over his age and acuity, which came to a head after his disastrous presidential debate with Donald Trump last year.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The concert raised over £114 million but has also since faced criticism regarding perceptions of African nations and aid distribution.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 23 June 2025
  • Even the perception that government data could be manipulated by politics could change that.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • By consistently sharing valuable insights and demonstrating expertise, young business owners can establish trust with their audiences, regardless of age.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Mann recently took to TikTok to share insight into the experience, striking a chord with athletes and dreamers alike.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • This is the traditional comprehension of the identity of a journalist.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • The bill advances phonics and other skills like comprehension and reading fluency, but its adoption is only voluntary.
    Denise Amos, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • More recent events sent me back to the novel itself, and to a new respect for Lewis’ percipience about Americans’ vulnerability to the blandishments of political charlatans, and about his oracular vision of how a fascist takeover would unfold.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2021
  • Readers knew to expect in a Flanigan column percipience and foresight, expressed in graceful, unaffected prose.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Penetration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetration. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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