able or tending to penetrate; piercing; sharp

a penetrating shriek; a penetrating glance.

acute; discerning

a penetrating observation.

Surgery . noting a wound that pierces the skin, esp. a deep wound entering an organ or body cavity.

adjective

blunt , dull , idiotic , senseless , stupid , unintelligent

adjective

biting , carrying , clear-cut , crisp , cutting , edged , entering , forcing , going through , infiltrating , ingoing , intrusive , passing through , penetrant , permeating , pervasive , piercing , pointed , puncturing , pungent , sharp , shrill , strong , trenchant , acute , astute , critical , discerning , discriminating , incisive , keen , penetrative , perceptive , perspicacious , profound , quick , quick-witted , sagacious , searching , sharp-witted , shrewd , probing , sensitive , caustic , deep , harsh , insightful , into , knowing , mordant , stinging , subtile