Penetrative, a.
Etymology: [Cf. F. pénétratif.]
1. Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing; as, the penetrative sun. His look became keen and penetrative. Hawthorne.
2. Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart; impressive; as, penetrative shame. Shak.
3. Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom. "The penetrative eye." Wordsworth. Led on by skill of penetrative soul. Grainger.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for penetrative; he lists it under astute.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.