penetrating

  • 1penetrating — [pen′itrāt΄ivpen′i trāt΄iŋ] adj. 1. that can penetrate [a penetrating oil] 2. sharp; piercing [a penetrating sound or smell] 3. keen or acute; discerning [a penetrating mind]: Also penetrative [pen′itrāt΄iv] penetratingly adv. penetratively …

    English World dictionary

  • 2Penetrating — Pen e*tra ting, a. 1. Having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading; sharp; subtile; penetrative; as, a penetrating odor. [1913 Webster] 2. Acute; discerning; sagacious; quick to discover; as, a penetrating mind. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3penetrating — [adj1] stinging, harsh biting, carrying, clear cut, crisp, cutting, edged, entering, forcing, going through, infiltrating, ingoing, intrusive, passing through, penetrant, permeating, pervasive, piercing, pointed, puncturing, pungent, sharp,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 4penetrating — index acute, incisive, interrogative, mordacious, perspicacious, potent, profound (esoteric), profoun …

    Law dictionary

  • 5penetrating — [[t]pe̱nɪtreɪtɪŋ[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED A penetrating sound is loud and usually high pitched. Mary heard the penetrating bell of an ambulance... Her voice was nasal and penetrating. Syn: piercing 2) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n If someone gives you a… …

    English dictionary

  • 6penetrating — pen|e|trat|ing [ˈpenıtreıtıŋ] adj 1.) penetrating look/eyes/gaze etc a look etc which makes you feel uncomfortable and seems to see inside your mind ▪ a pair of penetrating dark eyes ▪ He gave her a penetrating stare. 2.) showing an ability to… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 7penetrating — pen|e|trat|ing [ penə,treıtıŋ ] adjective 1. ) seeming to be able to know what you are thinking: a penetrating look/gaze/stare a ) a penetrating voice or sound is so high or loud that it makes you slightly uncomfortable b ) affecting you by… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 8penetrating — adjective 1 penetrating look/eyes/gaze a look etc which makes you feel uncomfortable and seems to see inside your mind: an attempt to avoid her husband s penetrating gaze 2 a penetrating sound is loud, clear, and often unpleasant: a penetrating… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 9penetrating — UK [ˈpenəˌtreɪtɪŋ] / US adjective 1) a penetrating look makes you feel that the person knows what you are thinking His penetrating stare made her feel uncomfortable. 2) a penetrating voice or sound is so high or loud that it makes you slightly… …

    English dictionary

  • 10penetrating — adjective 1) a penetrating wind Syn: piercing, cutting, biting, stinging, keen, sharp, harsh, raw, freezing, chill, wintry, cold See note at keen Ant …

    Thesaurus of popular words