penetrating vs knifelike

penetrating and knifelike both are adjectives.

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

As adjectives, penetrating and knifelike are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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