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
The paper’s new driving force, according to current and former staff who spoke to Semafor, is to expose local and state fraud and the misdeeds — real and perceived — of Democratic politicians who may have had a role in it.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s a $35 investment that can completely change how buyers perceive your home’s entryway.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026
In countries like Germany, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, plus parts of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, tipping with coins can even be perceived as rude, according to Mashed.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Critics say that kind of language can reshape how neighborhoods are perceived, often without reflecting the communities already there.
—Ryan Nickerson, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
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Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s a $35 investment that can completely change how buyers perceive your home’s entryway.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026
In countries like Germany, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, plus parts of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, tipping with coins can even be perceived as rude, according to Mashed.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Critics say that kind of language can reshape how neighborhoods are perceived, often without reflecting the communities already there.
—Ryan Nickerson, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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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