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
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Another concern is that the olivine could cloud certain ocean areas and block light from penetrating to deeper depths.
—ArsTechnica, 11 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
In 2018, the Blake Society invited Dickinson to perform during the rededication of Blake’s grave after his actual burial site had been revealed by ground-penetrating radar.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Another concern is that the olivine could cloud certain ocean areas and block light from penetrating to deeper depths.
—ArsTechnica, 11 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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Several drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk's chief rival Eli Lilly, have been racing to develop obesity pills, which may help alleviate the supply shortfalls and issues accessing the injections on the market.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
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But research has shown searches for virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow anyone to spoof their geographic location when accessing the internet, went up — as did traffic to sites that did not implement age verification systems.—
Jasmine Mithani,
Them.,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Creative differences led to a bitter falling out between Davies and Hodgson, who left the band in 1983.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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But to have the season’s only returning houseguest exit on a twist like this, and not even from gameplay, social standing or an eviction vote leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, to say the least.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With piercing rumbles, flickering gleams and heaps of fan interaction, Cain's concert felt more like an interactive theatrical experience.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
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The piercing pops from the firearm were replaced by a different kind of cacophony.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There was a sharp spike in job cuts during August, new data shows, as employers shed staff due to a worsening economic picture.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Analysts Craig Moffett’s rating change follows a sharp rally for the tech giant.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The recent acquisitions of Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have boosted the 49ers’ depth, but Jennings is their most accomplished wide receiver target entering the season, especially on tough, third-down throws.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Seek professional review or inspection of structures and utilities before entering buildings that are flooded.—
Staff reports,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penetrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetrating. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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