penetrating
durchdringend – durchdringender – am durchdringendsten
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penetrating
So strong and intense that something penetrates deep into a space, the body, or one's awareness. This can refer to sounds, smells, light, or cold, for example.
Ein durchdringender Geruch nach Rauch erfüllte den ganzen Flur.
A penetrating smell of smoke filled the entire hallway.
penetrating
Especially sharp and profound intellectually; grasping connections quickly and accurately.
Seine durchdringende Analyse machte die Schwächen des Vorschlags sichtbar.
His penetrating analysis revealed the weaknesses of the proposal.
piercing
Describing a gaze: sharp and searching, as though the person looking wants to see right through someone.
Mit einem durchdringenden Blick brachte sie ihn zum Schweigen.
She silenced him with a piercing look.
| basic form | durchdringend |
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| comparative | durchdringender |
| superlative | am durchdringendsten |
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Add the ending to durchdringend.
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Add the ending to durchdringend.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
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| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
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| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
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Add the ending to durchdringend.
'Durchdringend' (penetrating) belongs to the same word family as 'durchdringen' (to penetrate) and combines the idea of 'durch etwas hindurch' (right through something) with intense penetration. This image helps explain how the word applies to smells, sounds, looks, and thoughts.
Der durchdringende Lärm war bis in den dritten Stock zu hören.
The penetrating noise could be heard as far up as the third floor.
For intensity perceived physically or within a space, common combinations include 'durchdringender Geruch' (penetrating smell), 'durchdringende Kälte' (penetrating cold), and 'durchdringendes Licht' (penetrating light). The adjective describes something that makes its presence strongly felt and penetrates deep into one's awareness.
Durch die Ritzen kam durchdringende Kälte ins Zimmer.
Penetrating cold came into the room through the cracks.
In intellectual contexts, 'durchdringend' (penetrating) often appears before words such as 'Verstand' (intellect), 'Geist' (mind), or 'Analyse' (analysis). It then describes the ability to recognize hidden connections and problems accurately.
Dank ihrer durchdringenden Analyse wurde der zentrale Fehler im Bericht schnell gefunden.
Thanks to her penetrating analysis, the central error in the report was quickly found.
