penetrating

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”

tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing

• “a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface”
• “a cold penetrating wind”
• “a penetrating odor”