The meaning of PENETRATING is having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading. How to use penetrating in a sentence.

1. Able or seeming to penetrate: The penetrating odor of garlic soon filled the entire apartment. 2. Keenly perceptive or understanding; acute: The lecture provided penetrating ins

I heard a penetrating scream. Someone with penetrating eyes or a penetrating gaze seems able to understand or know you just by looking at you.

A penetrating sound is loud and usually high-pitched. Mary heard the penetrating siren of an ambulance. Her voice was nasal and penetrating.

Definition of penetrating adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

adjective tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing “a cold penetrating wind” “a penetrating odor” synonyms: penetrative sharp

Jan 14, 2026 · Adjective penetrating (comparative more penetrating, superlative most penetrating) Able to pierce or penetrate

pen•e•trat•ing (pen′ i trā′ting), adj. able or tending to penetrate; piercing; sharp: a penetrating shriek; a penetrating glance. acute; discerning: a penetrating observ

PENETRATING definition: able or tending to penetrate; piercing; sharp: a penetrating glance. See examples of penetrating used in a sentence.

adjective Able or seeming to penetrate. adjective Keenly perceptive or understanding; acute. from The Century Dictionary. Having the power of passing into or through (something); s