penetrative

[ pen-i-trey-tiv ]

/ ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪ tɪv /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR penetrative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to penetrate; piercing.

acute; keen.

Origin of penetrative

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word penetrātīvus.See penetrate, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM penetrative

pen·e·tra·tive·ly, adverbpen·e·tra·tive·ness, pen·e·tra·tiv·i·ty

[pen-i-truh-tiv-i-tee], /ˌpɛn ɪ trəˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounun·pen·e·tra·tive, adjectiveun·pen·e·tra·tive·ly, adverb

Words nearby penetrative

penetrate, penetrating, penetrating wound, penetration, penetration aid, penetrative, penetrometer, Peneus, Penfield, pen friend, Peng Dehuai

Example sentences from the Web for penetrative

He has a voice not dissimilar in timbre and penetrative ability to the incredibly annoying comedian Stephen Merchant.
The Addictive Curse of ‘Let’s Plays’|Tom Sykes|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The postmaster was only acquainted up to then with the penetrative power of the local weapon.
Through Arctic Lapland|Cutcliffe Hyne
While speaking he still bent his penetrative eye upon them, nor withdrew it till they had reached the bottom of the stairs.
Twice Told Tales|Nathaniel Hawthorne
Gozzi was gifted with a penetrative and observant mind, strong sense of humour, and a power of brilliant description.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi

The sky was overcast, not exactly promising a storm, but soft and penetrative, as if presaging sorrow.
A Little Girl in Old Boston|Amanda Millie Douglas
Avalanches thundered from the Breithorn and Lyskamm, telling of a penetrative moisture in the air.
Among the Forces|Henry White Warren