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perception

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of perception

1 the ability to understand inner qualities or relationships

  • a writer of considerable perception, she remembers how it feels to be confused and insecure
Synonyms of perception

discernment, insight, perceptiveness, perceptivity, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sapience, wisdom
Words Related to perception

acuity, acumen, astuteness, clear-sightedness, keenness, penetration, percipience, perspicacity, sensitivity, understanding

appreciation, apprehension, comprehension, grasp

brain(s), braininess, brightness, brilliance, canniness, cleverness, gray matter, intellect, intelligence, judgment (or judgement), mentality, power, reason, sense, smartness, wit

discrimination, foresight, foresightedness, judiciousness, prudence, sanity

logic, rationality
Near Antonyms of perception

density, dullness (also dulness), obtuseness

brainlessness, folly, foolishness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, silliness, simplemindedness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness

illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness

craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness

preposterousness, senselessness, silliness, zaniness

2 the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something

  • a growing perception of the enormity of the problem
Synonyms of perception

appreciation, apprehension, comprehension, grasp, grip, hold, percipience, understanding
Words Related to perception

absorption, assimilation, digestion, uptake

conception, visualization

awareness, consciousness, enlightenment, realization
Near Antonyms of perception

misapprehension, miscomprehension, misinterpretation, misperception, misunderstanding
Antonyms of perception

incomprehension, noncomprehension

Synonym Discussion of perception

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).
    • the discernment to know true friends
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
perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).
    • a novelist of keen perception into human motives
penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.
    • lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles
insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.
    • a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless
acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.
    • a director of reliable box-office acumen

Learn More about perception

  1. See words that rhyme with perception Dictionary: Definition of perception Medical Dictionary: Definition of perception Spanish Central: Translation of perception Nglish: Translation of perception for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perception for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perception

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