1. Tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing
   "a cold penetrating wind"; "a penetrating odour";
   - penetrative
    
2. Having or showing quick and precise discernment or understanding; mentally perceptive and astute
   "penetrating insight";
   - acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrative, piercing, sharp

1. Pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
   "The bullet penetrated her chest"; "The hikers did not manage to penetrate the dense forest";
   - pierce
    
2. Spread or diffuse through
   "music penetrated the entire building";
   - permeate, pervade, interpenetrate, diffuse, imbue, riddle
    
3. Come to understand
   "He finally penetrated the mystery";
   - fathom, bottom
    
4. Become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
   "she was penetrated with sorrow";
   - click, get through, dawn, come home, get across, sink in, fall into place
    
5. Enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
   "The student organization was penetrated by a traitor";
   - infiltrate
    
6. Insert the penis into the vagina or anus of
   "Did the molester penetrate the child?"

See also: perceptive, sharp

Type of: advance, come in, enter, fall in, get in, get into, go in, go into, go on, infix, insert, introduce, join, march on, move into, move on, pass on, progress, realise [Brit], realize, see, understand

Encyclopedia: Penetrate