1
as in sensed
to have a vague awareness of
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticed
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 understood
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 perceived
Despite our real or perceived differences, Baltimore City and Baltimore County are bound together across critical dimensions, including transit, housing, economic development and public safety.
—
Zac Blanchard, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2026
At the time, bank bailouts, accompanied by emergency measures from central banks, eventually restored calm to the financial markets, but that didn’t curb the public anger at the bankers, who were rightly perceived to be in a no-lose position.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Despite the contradiction, this strategy worked because elites are universally perceived as out of touch with the real world – with privileged and sheltered life experience that begets a sense of superiority.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Theatrical cinema remains the format where scripts are perceived to carry the least weight.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The gap between how Trump is perceived by some Republicans (strong and confident) and his actual persona (overwrought and histrionic) is large.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
That pattern matters in democracies because coercive power must be perceived as legitimate to be accepted.
—Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
As for the trade deadline, the situation might have been unavoidable, if the Bucks simply never were going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo at this stage and if the Heat perceived Ja Morant at this moment too much of a gamble.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To figure out how much danger the officer perceived at the time of a shooting requires evidence, says Alex Reinert, director of the Center for Rights and Justice at the Cardozo School of Law.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Zac Blanchard, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2026
At the time, bank bailouts, accompanied by emergency measures from central banks, eventually restored calm to the financial markets, but that didn’t curb the public anger at the bankers, who were rightly perceived to be in a no-lose position.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Despite the contradiction, this strategy worked because elites are universally perceived as out of touch with the real world – with privileged and sheltered life experience that begets a sense of superiority.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Theatrical cinema remains the format where scripts are perceived to carry the least weight.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The gap between how Trump is perceived by some Republicans (strong and confident) and his actual persona (overwrought and histrionic) is large.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
That pattern matters in democracies because coercive power must be perceived as legitimate to be accepted.
—Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
As for the trade deadline, the situation might have been unavoidable, if the Bucks simply never were going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo at this stage and if the Heat perceived Ja Morant at this moment too much of a gamble.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To figure out how much danger the officer perceived at the time of a shooting requires evidence, says Alex Reinert, director of the Center for Rights and Justice at the Cardozo School of Law.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceived
Verb
-
The Ukrainians sensed that time was running out.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Horses brought the firefighting apparatus and a big steed, aptly named Goliath, sensed the danger and ran out of the way, not before being injured.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stamos-Buesig in turn noticed problems with the group’s bank records and contacted the district attorney’s office, according to both prosecutors and Stamos-Buesig.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
As many fans have noticed, Muffin and all of the kids in the show grow up over time.—
Miranda Rake,
Parents,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Smith grew up on a 200-acre dude ranch in Colorado and fully understood the tone of the novel’s setting.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
-
It’s understood that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales backed the statement – the most senior royals united in the strategy.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson felt there would not be much improvement in the diversity on the shows in the upcoming fall season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Duxbury responded with Bryn Martin’s goal on a rebound with 17 seconds left in the first for some momentum, but Milton felt great about its start.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Six unmarked police cars were spotted on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, where Mountbatten-Windsor recently moved, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
He was arrested after a resident spotted him hiding in a nearby laundry room at the apartment complex.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Company executives knew idle transmission lines could spark wildfires.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The skate, a shark relative that looks like a stingray, was no surprise since scientists already knew their range extended that far south.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During the trial, jurors learned about grim Google searches Brian had made after his wife died, including how to saw a body and how to clean blood off of wood floors.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
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Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Often regarded as Egypt’s answer to Alfred Hitchcock, the great director Kamal al Sheikh was known for his noir-inflected, clear-eyed explorations of class.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Even Alphabet, which is widely regarded as the biggest AI winner in the group, is down 11% off a recent peak.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceived. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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