perceive

verb

pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
Definition of perceivenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perceive League sources could see Milton go for as high as a fourth-round pick if the right QB-desperate team is on the other line because of his tools and perceived high ceiling. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 Loneliness influencers — especially Gen Zers — should be more mindful of how viewers perceive their online posts, according to Lane. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Society perceives fathers who kill to be evil, but certain mothers appear to be presumed mentally ill. — Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Instead of embracing the moment, too many players have projected petty jealousy, a grievance mentality and, at times, what many fans perceive as racial resentment. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceive
  1. feel
  2. notice
  3. understand
  4. sense
  5. see
  6. know
  7. smell
  8. spot
Verb
  • Delaying a medical appointment is a common response to feeling stressed about what’s going on with your body, according to a 2021 study on health care avoidance.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026
  • These measures improve a sense of safety on campus, and students feel their mental health needs are being met, Dorn said.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of feel
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of starting with a new component, its engineers worked to understand the hardware already available to NAVAIR.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • Balancing on one foot while holding on to a stable surface helps reinforce core strength and the body’s ability to sense movement.
    — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The cabin sound is enhanced using technology that senses intake pressure and creates a corresponding engine sound routed through the speakers.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sense
Verb
  • Institutional investors still seem to see growth opportunities, even if some sovereign wealth funds show signs of potential pullbacks.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The expansion will see Amazon Web Services (AWS) deploy 2 million additional Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • Arroyo and Weiss didn’t know that Link, a Vernon Hills Democrat, was cooperating with the FBI.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the two men also know some individuals can delay the inevitable for years far beyond the norm.
    — Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • North Texas residents are seeing and smelling smoke because of a shift in wind direction from the Ross Fire, which has burned more than 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Dogs slept outside and got baths every six months and sometimes disappeared for three days and then came home smelling like Paris Hilton circa 2003, and no one asked any questions.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of smell
Verb
  • The technology, used in all Metro Nashville Public Schools, didn’t spot the weapon because the shooter wasn’t close enough to cameras for the system to get an accurate read and activate the alarm, the district said.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Both come down to spotting opportunities where others see problems, building resilience, staying curious, and taking action without being asked to.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of spot

Browse Nearby Words

perceivable
perceive
perceived
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceive. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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