PENETRATION Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

penetration

noun

Definition of penetration next

as in sensitivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Smartphone penetration percentages are already in the 90s in the West. —

Andrew Williams, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024 Rather than following a more gradual adoption curve, these innovations achieve mass-market penetration in record time. —

Dr Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 Israel battered Hezbollah – the strongest of Iran’s regional allies – demonstrating deep intelligence penetration and military prowess. —

Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Nov. 2024 If those muscles are tight, any type of penetration could hurt. —

Ashley Abramson, SELF, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for penetration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetration

Noun

Jenkins puts all this across with sensitivity and what feels like a gentle confidence.

Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Instead, its vivid, expressive prose also explores how aesthetic beauty can cover stomach-churning abuse, while Lin’s rich literary allusions reveal her sensitivity to language and her critical interest in developing a Taiwanese cultural heritage.

The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024