Like the high-pitched sound of drilling? (8)
I believe the answer is:
piercing
This clue could be a double definition.
'like' is the first definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'high-pitched sound of drilling?' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for piercing that I've seen before include "Very cold (wind)" , "sharp" , "very loud" , "Ear-splitting" , "Making a hole in (something)" .)