1
as in to feel
to have a vague awareness of
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
I perceive your point, but I still disagree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perceive
This is because some red flowers reflect blue, green, or ultraviolet light, which are the three main colors that bees perceive.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
The council can disqualify presidential candidates who are perceived as not being aligned with the Supreme Leader.
—Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Iran is attempting to crush dissent with a new wave of arrests, targeting groups perceived as threats to the regime.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
In the fall of 2022, Musk intervened to limit the use of Starlink in Ukraine in a way that senior officers in Kyiv perceived as a service to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
The council can disqualify presidential candidates who are perceived as not being aligned with the Supreme Leader.
—Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Iran is attempting to crush dissent with a new wave of arrests, targeting groups perceived as threats to the regime.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
In the fall of 2022, Musk intervened to limit the use of Starlink in Ukraine in a way that senior officers in Kyiv perceived as a service to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceive
Verb
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After re-signing Javonte Williams, the Cowboys feel like the running back room is ready to roll into the season.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
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And while some seasons in the past have felt safe in the Italian fashion capital, many Milan designers took risks this season, pushing a distinct vision.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ferris, who pitched 1-2/3 scoreless innings in his second Cactus League start Saturday in the Dodgers’ 7-6 split-squad loss to the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium, noticed the contrast going from the Cubs to the Dodgers.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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Those who noticed the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The condition isn't fully understood, as causes can range from mild to moderate head trauma, to pre-existing inner ear diseases, and treatment is confined largely to a physical therapy exercise called the Epley maneuver.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
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Talarico clearly understands the task ahead.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Democrats sense a political opening on the issue.—
Steven Sloan,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
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The children, mesmerized, must have sensed the rareness of such a night, too.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fingerprints of climate change Although natural variability played a role, Swain sees the fingerprints of climate change in several aspects of winter weather, including cold snaps.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
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Activists are also instructing people to keep them out of sight so ICE agents don’t see them and later target them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Flagg, known for his competitive nature, talked about the most difficult part of not being able to play alongside his teammates.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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New York — For months, investors and analysts have kept a close eye on the shadowy corner of finance known as private credit, where alarm bells have stoked fears of a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, 122 years of innovating in famously good-smelling hair care later, Garnier is appointing its first brand ambassador.—
Jaimie Potters,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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Dishes like Indian street corn, pumpkin chana masala, and spicy seafood soup drive home the restaurant’s emphasis on spices and herbs, and an open-air setting allows diners to bask in the sounds and smells of the surrounding rainforest.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead, the shop carries free whistles for customers to pick up and use in the event that ICE agents are spotted in the neighborhood.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Budhika Sampath said rescue teams initially spotted oil patches and life rafts on the surface but could not immediately locate the vessel.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceive. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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