penetration

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

Examples 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 Harrison estimates that even modest market penetration could yield annual sales exceeding $1 billion. Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 The company continues to focus on expanding the market penetration of the Nathan's Famous brand through its Licensing and Branded Product Programs. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024 This translates to a penetration rate of 49% of China’s auto market in September. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024 Cobalt Strike is a penetration testing tool designed for cybersecurity teams to simulate attacks. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for penetration 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penetration
Noun
  • The setup process guides the listener through a calibration process that fine-tunes the audio output based on the sensitivity of each ear.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
  • This part of the label is extremely important for identifying food allergens and sensitivities.
    Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • They’ve been welcomed at lowrider shows and spoken at prisons, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding.
    Grace Xue, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
  • The forum’s other directives speak to a culture of understanding.
    Oscar Holland, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
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
Noun
  • This summer, for instance, Trump took to social media to call for Wray to resign after the director appeared to vouch for Biden’s mental acuity.
    Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
  • This past summer, Trump faulted the FBI for not immediately confirming he’d been struck by a bullet during an assassination attempt and even took to social media to call on Wray to resign after the director vouched for President Joe Biden ‘s mental acuity during a congressional hearing.
    Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Its largest account is 7-Eleven, which has worked to shift its public perception through its new street lifestyle-type messaging on its social media pages.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Trump's numbers also benefited from positive public perception of his Cabinet nominations.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • This retail media model offers serious results—a level of insight that traditional in-store ads don’t provide.
    Mustafa Khanwala, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • More than anything, though, Cher has come to stand for a brassy, strutting kind of survival over the years, and on this front, her memoir is awash in insight and rich in details.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Those with such disabilities typically struggle with a range of social and spatial skills, including reading comprehension and fine motor skills, according to the NVLD Project.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Burke separated the beautiful from the sublime, and aesthetic theories generally classify the sublime as work that showcases greatness beyond measurement, comprehension, or experience; its magnitude is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
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

Thesaurus Entries Near penetration

Cite this Entry

“Penetration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penetration. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on penetration

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