penetrating

penetrating
adjective
1. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions (Freq. 2)
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an acute observer of politics and politicians

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incisive comments

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icy knifelike reasoning

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as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang

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penetrating insight

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frequent penetrative observations

Syn:
Similar to: ↑perceptive
Derivationally related forms: ↑sharpness (for: ↑sharp), ↑penetrate (for: ↑penetrative), ↑keenness (for: ↑keen), ↑incisiveness (for: ↑incisive), ↑acuteness (for: ↑acute)
2. tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing
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a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface

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a cold penetrating wind

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a penetrating odor

Syn: ↑penetrative
Similar to: ↑sharp
Derivationally related forms: ↑penetrate (for: ↑penetrative)

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • penetrating — [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

  • Penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — [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

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

  • penetrating — [[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

  • penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — 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

  • penetrating — adjective 1) a penetrating wind Syn: cold, cutting, biting, keen, sharp, harsh, raw, freezing, chill, bitter 2) a penetrating voice Syn: shrill, str …   Synonyms and antonyms dictionary

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