penetrating Hear it!

penetrating Definition

pen·etrat·ing (pen′i trāt′iŋ)

adjective

  1. that can penetrate a penetrating oil
  2. sharp; piercing a penetrating sound or smell
  3. keen or acute; discerning a penetrating mind

penetrating Related Forms
pen′·etrat′·ingly adverb or pen′·etra′·tively
penetrating Synonyms

penetrating

modif.

  1. Entering

    piercing, boring, going through, puncturing, sticking into, permeating, infiltrating, forcing, passing through, punching into.

  2. Sharp

    pointed, edged, keen-edged; see sharp 1, 2.

  3. Mentally keen

    astute, shrewd, sharp; see intelligent 1.

penetrating Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • injury: Demetriade D. Penetrating injury of the neck in patients in stable condition.