adjective
- Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions.
- usage: "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"
- synonyms: acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, piercing, sharp
- Tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing.
- usage: "a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface"; "a cold penetrating wind"; "a penetrating odor"
- synonyms: penetrating
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
| APA | WordNet. (2010). penetrative. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/penetrative/definitions/1180535 |
| Chicago | WordNet. 2010. "penetrative" http://smartdefine.org/penetrative/definitions/1180535 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | WordNet 2010, penetrative, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/penetrative/definitions/1180535>. |
| MLA | WordNet. "penetrative" 23 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/penetrative/definitions/1180535> |