ABSORBENT is a term used to describe a material that is capable of taking in liquids or other substances. PENETRABLE (10 letters) means able to be penetrated or passed through, RETENTIVE (9 letters) means having the ability to retain, PREGNABLE (9 letters) means able to be taken by assault, BIBULOUS (8 letters) means having a tendency to absorb liquids, SPONGY (6 letters) means having a soft and springy texture, THIRSTY (7 letters) means having a great desire for something, POROUS (6 letters) means having tiny holes or passages, PERMEABLE (9 letters) means allowing liquids or gases to pass through, and SPONGE (6 letters) means a material with a POROUS structure. All of these words are related to the term ABSORBENT, as they all describe materials that are capable of taking in liquids or other substances.