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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun perception differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perception are acumen, discernment, discrimination, insight, and penetration. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

Where would acumen be a reasonable alternative to perception?

The synonyms acumen and perception are sometimes interchangeable, but acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

When is it sensible to use discernment instead of perception?

While the synonyms discernment and perception are close in meaning, discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

When could discrimination be used to replace perception?

Although the words discrimination and perception have much in common, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

When might insight be a better fit than perception?

In some situations, the words insight and perception are roughly equivalent. However, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

When is penetration a more appropriate choice than perception?

The words penetration and perception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

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 perception The Visual Medium Has a Message How does the medium in which an image is rendered, its materiality, shape our perception of the subject matter? JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025 Instead, investors appear to be avoiding U.S. markets due to the perception of rising risk. Christopher Rugaber, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2025 And certainly not as much as the external perception is. Michael Walker, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025 Rather, conscious perception requires a detailed and voluntary analysis of external stimuli. Jorge Garay, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perception
Noun
  • Traders will look to speeches by several Fed officials later this week, hoping for insights into future monetary policy amid the concerns about the central bank's independence.
    Brijesh Patel, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • All of these qualities of a manuscript can provide insight into the person who made it.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Dragonfly, if successful, could revolutionize our understanding of how life might arise elsewhere in the solar system.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.
    Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Finding narratives that can still cut through the noise and resonate with fractured audiences will demand unprecedented creativity and sensitivity from communicators.
    Fahad Qadir, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But outside of folks with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there’s no conclusive evidence that gluten consumption triggers inflammation.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Home value appreciation in 40513 was on par with the No. 2 most expensive ZIP code: 41.7% over five years, from $383,166 in March 2020 to $542,888 in March 2025.
    Andrew DePietro, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • When Cyclists Made Up an Entire Political Bloc Erin Blakemore August 26, 2018 The League of American Wheelmen was originally intended to spread bicycle appreciation.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perception. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perception

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