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

Examples of penetration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, perhaps digital wallets are a more apropos reinforcement with greater evidence of the full hype lifecycle and tangible penetration 15+ years into the mobile revolution. Colin Luce, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 Advancements in technology and regulatory approvals are expected to drive the industry forward, boosting consumer adoption and market penetration. Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2024 Thinning enhances light penetration and is especially beneficial for trees and shrubs that grow quickly to inhibit overgrowth. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2024 That’s far below the level of e-commerce penetration in other categories, such as consumer electronics, where 41% of purchases were made online, according to Jefferies data. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for penetration 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'penetration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near penetration

Cite this Entry

“Penetration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetration. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on penetration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!