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
In addition, prosecutors say Doyle left three threatening voicemails sent across state lines that targeted the officer and the officer’s family, knowing the messages would be perceived as threats.
—
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Braverman has long been perceived as further right-wing than the rest of the Conservative Party, particularly on issues such as immigration.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
Often perceived as an elegant player, perhaps too neat and tidy for some people’s taste, his opener in this encounter against Napoli was all about the strength and determination Spalletti has asked of him.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s going to be perceived as very positive.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Braverman has long been perceived as further right-wing than the rest of the Conservative Party, particularly on issues such as immigration.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
Often perceived as an elegant player, perhaps too neat and tidy for some people’s taste, his opener in this encounter against Napoli was all about the strength and determination Spalletti has asked of him.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s going to be perceived as very positive.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceive
Verb
-
But his new-Dior vibe this year felt fresh and unexpectedly cool—a more casual approach to awards season dressing, though still refined.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Some athletes feel suffocated by the obligations that fame brings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But after COLAs were paid for a couple of years, someone noticed the formula was wrong.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of waiting for their behavior to reach crisis mode, parents learn to notice patterns early, stay calm, and guide them through the turbulence of growing up.—
Dorian Johnson,
Parents,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
London — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, has moved out of his longtime Windsor home and is now a resident of Norfolk, England, CNN understands.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That’s what’s gotta be understood.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hivemind enables defense systems to sense, decide, and act, allowing autonomous platforms to adapt to dynamic environments, avoid threats, and complete missions without human intervention.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
-
School schedules have been erratic since the killing of Renee Good, kids of color have been caught up in the sweeps, and – try as their parents might to shelter them – children can certainly sense the conflict that permeates the urban atmosphere.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Al-Maliki ended his second term in 2014 after the Obama administration’s growing frustration with his security blind spots that saw the rise of the Islamic State in the same year across a large swathe of Iraqi and Syrian territory.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Someone who should not stumble into this, who should not have to see the grave of her loved one defaced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
About 80 warming centers were opened across the state, known as one of the nation's poorest.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In other words, getting hit by the single most energetic particle presently known in all the Universe would have no noticeable effect on you at all.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The best hair perfumes can make your strands smell as good as the rest of you, without committing to a full wash day.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Near the end of her speech, a man in the front row jumped up and ran towards her before spraying her shirt with a syringe of an unknown, strong-smelling substance, according to C-SPAN footage.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Twin waved at them, and finally the police spotted her hiding in plain sight, standing beside her neighbors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Microsoft’s new warning was spotted by Windows Latest.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceive. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
