penetrating (adj.)

• absorbing
• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulent
• acidulous
• acrid
• acrimonious
• acute
• algid
• apperceptive
• arctic
• astringent
• astute
• biting
• bitter
• bleak
• boreal
• brisk
• brumal
• caustic
• clear-cut
• clever
• cogent
• cold
• corrosive
• creaky
• crisp
• cutting
• deafening
• deep
• discerning
• discriminating
• double-edged
• driving
• edged
• effective
• farseeing
• farsighted
• fierce
• forceful
• forcible
• foresighted
• forethoughtful
• frigid
• gelid
• glacial
• gutsy
• harsh
• heartfelt
• hibernal
• hiemal
• howling
• ice-cold
• icelike
• icy
• imperative
• impressive
• incisive
• inclement
• indelible
• intelligent
• intense
• irritating
• keen
• longsighted
• loud
• mordacious
• mordant
• nervous
• nipping
• nippy
• numbing
• perceptive
• percipient
• perspicacious
• perspicuous
• pervasive
• piercing
• pinching
• piquant
• poignant
• powerful
• profound
• provident
• pungent
• quick
• quick-witted
• raw
• reedy
• reeking
• rigorous
• rough
• sagacious
• scathing
• scorching
• screaky
• screechy
• searching
• sensational
• sensitive
• severe
• sharp
• sharp-sighted
• shrill
• sinewy
• slashing
• sleety
• slushy
• smart
• snappy
• sour
• squeaking
• squeaky
• stabbing
• stinging
• stone-cold
• strident
• striking
• stringent
• strong
• strong-scented
• strong-smelling
• suffocating
• tart
• telling
• thin
• thundering
• trenchant
• understanding
• vehement
• vigorous
• violent
• virulent
• vital
• vitriolic
• wailing
• wintery
• wintry
• withering