perceive

verb

per·ceive pər-ˈsēv

perceived; perceiving; perceives

Synonyms of perceive next

transitive verb

: to attain awareness or understanding of

: to regard as being such

was perceived as a loser

: to become aware of through the senses

especially : see, observe

perceivable

pər-ˈsē-və-bəl

adjective

perceivably

pər-ˈsē-və-blē

adverb

perceiver noun

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 on the Web Conservatives have been especially politically vulnerable on this issue because, rightly or not, they are often perceived to care more about saving ... —

Henry Olsen, National Review, 19 Sep. 2023 Sullivan's trip was perceived in Beijing as a renewal of the possibility that the two heads of state could meet this fall. —

Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2023 The imbalance of power and information companies create when setting employees’ pay means workers seldom perceive the negotiation process as fair. —

Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023 After the first semester, Harris chopped his long hair, nervous about how his teachers might perceive him. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 The ratings are a major factor in how the community perceives local schools. —

Talia Richman, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023 The intent, family members said then, was to help clear their patriarch’s name, though it was perceived as a fist in the face of the administration. —

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023 Monét’s absence follows what some fans on social media perceived as a disregard for the R&B genre at the 2023 VMAs. —

Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2023 Musk’s wealth and market influence are also flashpoints for his critics, particularly in a decade of growing wealth inequality, causing him to be perceived as greedy. —

Grace Lordan, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perceive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.