perceived; perceiving; perceives
1
a
: to attain awareness or understanding of
b
: to regard as being such
was perceived as a loser
Examples of perceive in a Sentence
We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them.
—
James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune.
—E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper.
—Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure.
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune.
—E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper.
—Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure.
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Recent Examples on the Web
Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
In return, Annabelle’s group perceived the alliance as a threat and started spending more points on military.
—Kaleb Demerew, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
That is a fancy sociological phrase that translates simply to the need to understand how others perceive you.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Best Gifts for Tweens Tweens are increasingly focused on friendships with their peers and how others perceive them.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceive
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Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
In return, Annabelle’s group perceived the alliance as a threat and started spending more points on military.
—Kaleb Demerew, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
That is a fancy sociological phrase that translates simply to the need to understand how others perceive you.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Best Gifts for Tweens Tweens are increasingly focused on friendships with their peers and how others perceive them.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceive
verb
per·ceive
pər-ˈsēv 
perceived; perceiving
2
: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight
perceiver
noun
Medical Definition
perceive
transitive verb
per·ceive
pər-ˈsēv
perceived; perceiving
: to become aware of through the senses
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