knifelike vs penetrating

knifelike and penetrating both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
knifelike	No	Yes	No	No
penetrating	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, knifelike and penetrating are synonyms defined as:

knifelike and penetrating: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

Other synonyms of knifelike include acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, penetrative, piercing, sharp.

knifelike (adjective)	penetrating (adjective)
having a sharp or distinct edge	having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions	tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing
cutting or able to cut as if with a knife
painful as if caused by a sharp instrument