piercing

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pierc|ing /p'ɪərsɪŋ/
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A piercing sound or voice is high-pitched and very sharp and clear in an unpleasant way.
A piercing scream split the air.
...a piercing whistle.
● piercingly [ADV]
She screamed again, piercingly.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If someone has piercing eyes or a piercing stare, they seem to look at you very intensely. (WRITTEN)
...his sandy blond hair and piercing blue eyes...
= penetrating
● piercingly [ADV]
Ben looked at him piercingly.
3 [ADJ]
A piercing wind makes you feel very cold.

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