Definition of perceive
perceived
;perceiving
perceiver
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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
Recent Examples of perceive from the Web
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The task force formed in 2013 to study and combat what state lawmakers already perceived as a rising maternal mortality rate.
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Collins might be perceived as a luxury, if the Hornets chose him with the 11th pick.
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And the Louisiana Legislature also saw no bills introduced in 2017 that LGBT advocates perceived as restrictive or discriminatory against their community.
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The true facts are known only to those who can perceive the pure evil of the Clintons, the deep state, and the rest of the establishment media.
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The female subjects also perceived tasks as more difficult when slightly dehydrated.
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Gladys Carrión, the commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services, retired, but was generally perceived to have been forced out after fiercely critical news coverage of the deaths of vulnerable children.
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Proximity to Carter, and a clever courting of the first lady, eventually led Brzezinski to be perceived as Carter’s indispensable man.
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The mission of the Lab of Misfits is basically to create spaces that use the principles of perception to enable people to perceive differently.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perceive'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of perceive
Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave
Other Psychology Terms
PERCEIVE Defined for English Language Learners
perceive
playDefinition of perceive for English Language Learners
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: to notice or become aware of (something)
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: to think of (someone or something) as being something stated
PERCEIVE Defined for Kids
perceive
playDefinition of perceive for Students
perceived
;perceiving
1 : to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight Perceiving the intruders in their nest the birds flew down upon them … — L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz
2 : to recognize or realize I perceived a change in her attitude.
3 : to think of as The message was perceived as a threat.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about perceive
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See words that rhyme with perceive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perceive Spanish Central: Translation of perceive Nglish: Translation of perceive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perceive for Arabic speakers
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