1
as in sensing
to have a vague awareness of
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticing
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 knowing
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 perceiving
The newly-sighted get better at perceiving differences in color, shape, and size — even if they were treated for their congenital cataracts after years of blindness—but not so much at spotting differences in shading or contours.
—
Sachin Rawat, Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Reading, a way of perceiving ideas through the eyes of others, increases empathy and community, noted one professor.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
But that would depend on the animals perceiving the temperature shift—and having the capacity to do things differently.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The model is better than predecessors at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, perceiving images, writing code and understanding long context, OpenAI said.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Shifting gears, rather than perceiving AI as a competitor, budding therapists would be wise to perceive AI as a collaborator.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2024, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with 84% of people perceiving government corruption to be a major problem.
—Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
Chronic pain usually results from your nervous system perceiving an area of instability in your body.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Gabby dislikes Sebastian, perceiving him as an entitled womanizer.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sachin Rawat, Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Reading, a way of perceiving ideas through the eyes of others, increases empathy and community, noted one professor.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
But that would depend on the animals perceiving the temperature shift—and having the capacity to do things differently.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The model is better than predecessors at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, perceiving images, writing code and understanding long context, OpenAI said.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Shifting gears, rather than perceiving AI as a competitor, budding therapists would be wise to perceive AI as a collaborator.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2024, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with 84% of people perceiving government corruption to be a major problem.
—Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
Chronic pain usually results from your nervous system perceiving an area of instability in your body.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Gabby dislikes Sebastian, perceiving him as an entitled womanizer.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceiving
Verb
-
Wang shared some preliminary data from the study, noting that early findings connect passive smartphone sensing data with brief real-time check-ins about mood and behavior (called ecological momentary assessment).—
Crista Marchesseault,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have built a tiny detector capable of sensing microwave photons, which are about 10,000 times weaker than optical photons.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Women suffering through the hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems that can come with menopause — all while looking in the mirror and noticing signs of aging — are being bombarded with products.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But people in the capital began noticing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In these cases, knowing which funds are legally protected and exploring debt relief options early are your best defenses.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
All this is happening with uncertainty about a possible MLB lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement runs out and not knowing what changes might happen to the draft.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That means residents are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks going to utilities compared to people in other places.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Sponsors began seeing themselves out on Monday, and the entire festival was quickly canceled after news of Ye’s ban broke on Tuesday.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An allergist shared tips on spotting the difference and reducing exposure during peak pollen weeks.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
These color changes can help scientists understand the composition of minerals on the surface, according to NASA, because while there is plenty of satellite imagery of the moon, the human eye is better at spotting the changes of color.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such initiatives are crucial for understanding how our home star emits radiation, a life-and-death concern for human spaceflight missions — particularly for trips to the moon, as NASA is pursuing with the Artemis program, or Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
And if moderation within that system is limited, as some argue, then the challenge for policymakers is not simply negotiation, but understanding the ideology that drives it.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Witnesses have reported feeling both earthquakes in communities as far away as Randleman (64 miles away) and High Point (80 miles away), the USGS says.—
Mark Price
April 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Dodgers’ star shortstop left Saturday’s game after running the bases in the first inning and feeling pain in the right side of his lower back.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The helpful trine between the Moon in your private 12th house and Jupiter in your cautious 8th house offers astrological support regarding tender topics.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Prior to Saturday’s apology, Auriemma had expressed frustration over the officiating, specifically regarding a play where Sarah Strong’s jersey was ripped.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceiving. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
