penetrating Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
    penetrate; perforate.
    • The bullet penetrated her chest
  2. verb come to understand
    penetrate; fathom; bottom.
  3. verb become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
    get through; get across; sink in; come home; fall into place; penetrate; dawn; click.
    • It dawned on him that she had betrayed him
    • she was penetrated with sorrow
  4. verb enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
    penetrate; infiltrate.
    • The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor
  5. verb make one's way deeper into or through
    penetrate.
    • The hikers did not manage to penetrate the dense forest
  6. verb insert the penis into the vagina or anus of
    penetrate.
    • Did the molester penetrate the child?
  7. verb spread or diffuse through
    riddle; permeate; interpenetrate; pervade; penetrate; diffuse; imbue.
    • An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration
    • music penetrated the entire building
    • His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks
  8. adjective satellite having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    acute; incisive; penetrative; piercing; discriminating; keen; sharp; knifelike.
    • an acute observer of politics and politicians
    • incisive comments
    • icy knifelike reasoning
    • as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
    • penetrating insight
    • frequent penetrative observations
  9. adjective satellite tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing
    penetrative.
    • a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface
    • a cold penetrating wind
    • a penetrating odor

WordNet


Pen"e*tra`ting adjective
Definitions
  1. Having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading; sharp; subtile; penetrative; as, a penetrating odor.
  2. Acute; discerning; sagacious; quick to discover; as, a penetrating mind.

Webster 1913