penetration

noun

Definition of penetrationnext
as in sensitivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 If applied as a thick mulch or top dressing, coffee grounds can form a dense mat that reduces water and air penetration into the soil. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025 That is currently something that the merchants are working very hard on to increase the brand penetration and quality of the product that’s going to be a major step towards our future. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 June 2025 Collections agencies are also hopping aboard this trend; TransUnion Collections Benchmark 2025 puts AI penetration at 57%. —Kumar Abhirup, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 That’s just one vehicle for every 128 people, or a market penetration equivalent to America’s in 1911, three years after Henry Ford produced his first Model T. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 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
  • The department will not be releasing additional details about the case because of its sensitivity and the victim’s age, according to the release.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2025
  • Organizations must embrace: • Responsiveness over rigidity • Continuous learning over static optimization • Signal sensitivity over status reporting This isn’t hypothetical.
    — Gowtham Chilakapati, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions.
    — Jon Gambrell, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
  • The actor slash producer took the position in January and spent the last six months getting a better understanding of the industry structures in place at TIFF, both to continue to deliver programs that are already considered successful and to be able to tweak whatever wasn’t fully working.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 June 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
  • House Republicans have reached out to former Biden aides as part of a probe into his mental acuity.
    — Brett Samuels, The Hill, 5 June 2025
  • Scrutiny over Biden's mental acuity while in office has ramped up in recent weeks, amid new reporting about the circumstances of Biden's exit from the 2024 presidential race.
    — Joe Walsh June 4, CBS News, 4 June 2025
Definition of acuity
Noun
  • Self-doubt is a common challenge among working mothers returning to the workforce, influenced by external and internal perceptions.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • For the most part, this perception is the result of clever marketing.
    — Russell Dinkins, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
Definition of perception
Noun
  • The executive met with Variety ahead of the event to discuss his insights into the Kingdom’s growing role in the global animation market, Manga Productions’ distribution strategy and how homegrown talent is being nurtured through national training programs and international collaborations.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Often, this insight arose in conversation with other women, in consciousness-raising groups.
    — Dayna Tortorici, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of insight
Noun
  • With layout, a clear visual hierarchy and white space improve comprehension.
    — Farzana Abdulhusein, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • This eight-week class, with lessons on English grammar, pronunciation and idioms, is for adult (18 years and older) intermediate and advanced English learners who can have a conversation in English but want to improve their pronunciation and comprehension.
    — Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 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 19 Jun. 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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