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
Both moral panics perceived a threat in society.
—
Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Witches were no longer solely perceived as agents of Satan, but cool girls and women who had agency and autonomy over their lives.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Onscreen, Evans’s Mike Tyler instead takes a more self-destructive route — at times, equal parts hilarious and harrowing — preoccupied by his public image and being perceived as a righteous do-gooder.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
None of it is meant to be perceived in a scary way.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Witches were no longer solely perceived as agents of Satan, but cool girls and women who had agency and autonomy over their lives.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Onscreen, Evans’s Mike Tyler instead takes a more self-destructive route — at times, equal parts hilarious and harrowing — preoccupied by his public image and being perceived as a righteous do-gooder.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
None of it is meant to be perceived in a scary way.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceive
Verb
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Miami’s play was so decisively putrid that the 33-8 loss to the Colts seemed almost a blessing because the game felt so much more lopsided than that.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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The trendy animal print pattern combined with the crisscross buckle design offers a sophisticated, retro feel that’ll perk up any classic pair of jeans.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That 2024 law induced the companies to decrease the odds of winning, which negatively affected bettors in the aggregate, albeit not in so direct a way that the casual gambler would notice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These measurements are fundamental to understanding how greenhouse gas emissions relate to rising temperatures, simultaneously contributing to scientific research and informing policymakers of compliance with environmental regulations.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If the marathons of New York and London showcase splendour and establishment and magnificence and size and place, then the Great North Run offers something else; to complete it, to witness it, is to understand its pull.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dudek sensed the growing tension.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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When people sense that their efforts will not be rewarded financially, motivation takes a hit.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Taylor also drew false-start and holding penalties in the first half, and teammate Travis Kelce had seen enough during the Chiefs’ season-opening game Friday against the Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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However, only select regions will get to see the eclipse, including New Zealand, southern Australia, parts of the Pacific and Atlantic, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was reportedly known to law enforcement to wear a shoulder holster on the left side of his body.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No one wants to use a bathroom that smells stale (or worse).—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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But that did little to allay the concerns of Dermish and his neighbors, who continued to see flares light up the sky and to smell gas wafting over the community.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The centerpiece of its design is a cardinal, and living in the South, many of us have watched the trees for these beloved birds as an early sign of spring each year (especially for those in Virginia spotting their state bird).—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
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According to a passenger who spotted her aboard the plane, the congressional representative had ignored a friendly greeting from the economy-cabin flier.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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