piercing

adj 1: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine

distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and

politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike

reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a

fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative

observations" [syn: {acute}, {discriminating}, {incisive},

{keen}, {knifelike}, {penetrating}, {penetrative}, {sharp}]

2: high-pitched and sharp; "piercing screams"; "a shrill

whistle" [syn: {shrill}, {sharp}]

3: as physically painful as if caused by a sharp instrument; "a

cutting wind"; "keen winds"; "knifelike cold"; "piercing

knifelike pains"; "piercing cold"; "piercing criticism";

"a stabbing pain"; "a gray world with ice and toothed

winds" [syn: {cutting}, {keen}, {knifelike}, {stabbing}]

4: suitable for cutting or piercing; "incisive teeth"; "the

piercing needle" [syn: {incisive}]

5: loud and sharp; "the piercing shriek of sirens"