adj
Uncommon
penetrating
PEH-niht-ray-tihng
Penetrating (adj) means Able to pierce through something, or (of a look, remark, or mind) sharply perceptive. Example: “She gave him a penetrating stare that made him uneasy.”
adj
1
Able to pierce through something, or (of a look, remark, or mind) sharply perceptive.
"She gave him a penetrating stare that made him uneasy."
"The report offered a penetrating analysis of the crisis."
How to use penetrating
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSharp and piercing — whether physically (a cold wind), or mentally (a perceptive comment or look).
Common pairings
penetrating gaze
penetrating insight
penetrating cold
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more penetrating
- Superlative
- most penetrating
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She gave him a _____ stare that made him uneasy.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for penetrating
See all rhymes for penetrating →Frequently asked questions
What does “penetrating” mean?
The word “penetrating” means able to pierce through something, or (of a look, remark, or mind) sharply perceptive. In plain terms, sharp and piercing — whether physically (a cold wind), or mentally (a perceptive comment or look).
How do you pronounce “penetrating”?
“Penetrating” is pronounced PEH-niht-ray-tihng (/ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪtɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “penetrating” in a sentence?
Here is “penetrating” used in a sentence: “She gave him a penetrating stare that made him uneasy.”
What part of speech is “penetrating”?
“Penetrating” is an adjective.
Is “penetrating” a common word?
“Penetrating” is an uncommon word in modern English.
