penetration

noun

Definition of penetrationnext
as in sensitivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun penetration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of penetration are acumen, discernment, discrimination, insight, and perception. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

When is it sensible to use acumen instead of penetration?

The words acumen and penetration can be used in similar contexts, but acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

When would discernment be a good substitute for penetration?

The synonyms discernment and penetration are sometimes interchangeable, but discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

When is discrimination a more appropriate choice than penetration?

In some situations, the words discrimination and penetration are roughly equivalent. However, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

When can insight be used instead of penetration?

The meanings of insight and penetration largely overlap; however, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

When could perception be used to replace penetration?

The words perception and penetration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penetration Modeling from consulting firm Lane Clark and Peacock suggests that Northern Scotland would experience lower wholesale prices owing to their high renewable penetration and relatively low demand. —Neha Hegde, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025 One drag on consumption is the fact that digital device penetration rates have peaked in major markets including the U.S., the report noted. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025 Pruning: Removing unnecessary leaves and branches improves airflow and light penetration. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025 This bundle comes with beginner-friendly guides to teach you common cybersecurity skills like hacking and penetration testing. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penetration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetration
  1. sensitivity
  2. understanding
  3. acumen
  4. acuity
  5. perception
  6. insight
  7. comprehension
  8. percipience
Noun
  • Rather than seeing her emotional sensitivity as a liability, Post uses therapeutic work to transform it into a business asset. ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more.
    — Megan Bruneau, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • Children: Children have a higher sensitivity to chlorella and spirulina than adults.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Here's a better understanding of what Pope Leo XIV wore on Thursday.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • The archaeologists hope their research can provide the local population with a more comprehensive understanding of their heritage, which has long been obscured by the tragedies of the slave trade.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
Definition of understanding
Noun
  • The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.
    — Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com, al, 20 Jan. 2023
  • But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.
    — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023
Definition of acumen
Noun
  • Biden’s return to the national stage comes ahead of the release of multiple books looking at how his aides grappled with questions about his mental acuity during his time in office.
    — Brian Bennett, Time, 6 May 2025
  • Biden released detailed summaries of his physical exams while in office, but several books published in recent months have raised questions about his mental acuity in his final months in the White House.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of acuity
Noun
  • The possibility of an appeal to the Fifth Circuit has driven the perception that Texas courtrooms might offer Mr. Trump the best chance to win rulings that would allow his administration’s plan to scale up mass deportations to move forward.
    — Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Through extensive investigation, Aaronson uncovers how the FBI’s narrative shaped public perception and obscured its own failures, leading to critical questions about institutional accountability and the politicization of memory.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Definition of perception
Noun
  • After completing a cleaning cycle, users receive a 2D map of the pool’s layout and cleaning paths, offering insights into the areas covered.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • That kind of clarity – knowing what matters, and acting on it – demands both insight and courage.
    — Eric Mosley, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Definition of insight
Noun
  • The most significant change brought about by this approach moves learning focus from content dissemination toward active engagement and comprehension.
    — AyoOluwa Nihinlola, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • The goal, as a viewer, was to absorb the barrage of stimuli and forgo active comprehension.
    — Andrew Lampert, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Definition of comprehension
Noun
  • More recent events sent me back to the novel itself, and to a new respect for Lewis’ percipience about Americans’ vulnerability to the blandishments of political charlatans, and about his oracular vision of how a fascist takeover would unfold.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2021
  • Readers knew to expect in a Flanigan column percipience and foresight, expressed in graceful, unaffected prose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2021
Definition of percipience

Browse Nearby Words

penetrating
penetration
peninsula
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Cite this Entry

“Penetration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetration. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on penetration

Nglish: Translation of penetration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penetration

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