piercing (adj.)
- absorbing
- acerb
- acerbic
- acid
- acidic
- acidulent
- acidulous
- acrid
- acrimonious
- acute
- afflictive
- agonizing
- algid
- apperceptive
- arctic
- arresting
- astringent
- astute
- atrocious
- biting
- bitter
- blaring
- bleak
- booming
- bore
- boreal
- boring
- brisk
- broach
- brumal
- caustic
- chilling
- cogent
- cold
- corrosive
- creaky
- crisp
- cruel
- cutting
- deafening
- deep
- discerning
- distressing
- double-edged
- drastic
- driving
- earsplitting
- earthshaking
- edged
- effective
- enthralling
- entrancing
- excessive
- excruciating
- exorbitant
- exquisite
- extravagant
- extreme
- farseeing
- farsighted
- fascinating
- fierce
- fixing
- forceful
- forcible
- foresighted
- forethoughtful
- forte
- fortissimo
- frigid
- frosty
- full
- furious
- gelid
- glacial
- grave
- great
- gripping
- gutsy
- hard
- harrowing
- harsh
- heartfelt
- hibernal
- hiemal
- high
- high-pitched
- howling
- hurtful
- ice-cold
- icelike
- icy
- immoderate
- imperative
- impressive
- incisive
- inclement
- indelible
- intemperate
- intense
- irritating
- keen
- knifelike
- lancing
- longsighted
- loud
- mordacious
- mordant
- nervous
- nipping
- nippy
- numbing
- outrageous
- painful
- paroxysmal
- pealing
- penetrating
- perceptive
- percipient
- perspicacious
- perspicuous
- pinching
- piquant
- plangent
- poignant
- powerful
- probing
- profound
- provident
- pungent
- racking
- raw
- reedy
- reeking
- resounding
- rigorous
- ringing
- roaring
- rough
- sagacious
- scathing
- scorching
- screaky
- screaming
- screechy
- searching
- sensational
- severe
- sharp
- shooting
- shrill
- sinewy
- slashing
- sleety
- slushy
- snappy
- sonorous
- sour
- spasmodic
- spellbinding
- splitting
- squeaking
- squeaky
- stabbing
- stentorian
- stinging
- stone-cold
- strident
- striking
- stringent
- strong
- tart
- telling
- thin
- thundering
- thunderous
- torturous
- tough
- treble
- trenchant
- unconscionable
- understanding
- vehement
- venomous
- vigorous
- violent
- virulent
- vital
- vitriolic
- wailing
- wintery
- wintry
- withering
There is some soul of goodness in things evil,
Would men observingly distil it out.
