different between penetrating vs sharply

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p?n?t?e?t??/
• Hyphenation: pen?e?trat?ing

Adjective

penetrating (comparative more penetrating, superlative most penetrating)

1. able to pierce or penetrate

   The skunk produces a penetrating odor.

2. demonstrating acute or keen understanding

   His novel shows a penetrating insight into the criminal mind.

Translations

Verb

penetrating

1. present participle of penetrate

Anagrams

• repatenting

English

Etymology

From Middle English sharply, scharply, from Old English s?earpl??e (“sharply, smartly”), equivalent to sharp +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /???pli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???pli/

Adverb

sharply (comparative sharplier or more sharply, superlative sharpliest or most sharply)

1. In a sharp manner.
2. (to describe breathing) Suddenly and intensely like a gasp, but typically as the result of an emotional reaction.
3. In an intellectually alert and penetrating manner.
4. Severely.
   • 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, "Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders," New York Times (retrieved 21 June 2013):

     The economy has slowed to a pale shadow of its growth in recent years; inflation is high, the currency is declining sharply against the dollar — but the expectations of Brazilians have rarely been higher, feeding broad intolerance with corruption, bad schools and other government failings.

5. Of speech, delivered in a stern or harsh tone.

Translations