piercing

adjective

/ˈpɪə.sɪŋ/

/ˈpɪr-/

Definition

› going through or into something: Troops have been issued with new armour-piercing anti-tank grenades.figurative We shivered in the piercing wind.Making holes in things › describes a sound that is high, loud, and unpleasant: piercing screamsNoise and noisy a piercing criticism, question, remark, etc. › a criticism, question, remark, etc. that is unpleasant or uncomfortable because it is strong or it makes you think about or discuss something that you would prefer not to: She hadn't really meant to lie, but their piercing questions had forced her to.Serious and unpleasantNot attractive to look atInformal words for bad piercing eyes, look, gaze, etc. › used to describe when a person looks very carefully at someone or something, especially when they are trying to discover something, often making people feel uncomfortable: Sherlock Holmes gave him a piercing glance. He looked straight at me with his piercing blue eyes.Using the eyesEyesight, glasses and lensesThe eye and surrounding areaPerceptive piercingly