as in understandings
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
a growing perception of the enormity of the problem
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Recent Examples of perceptions
That mismatch was illustrated in a 2024 study that found striking differences between teachers and parents’ perceptions of autism traits — things like having trouble interpreting body language or understanding social mores.
—
Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Trybal pairs elevated African cuisine with late-night programming and cultural storytelling designed to challenge perceptions of the continent while drawing new energy into the neighborhood.
—Patricia Kaowthumrong, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
On economics On perceptions of economic policy, Democrats have drawn closer to Republicans, compared to January.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
But as our perceptions of Clark shift with various revelations, Bateman masterfully modifies his bearing from blandly sinister to sweetly sincere and back again.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
But with few other options available, Riyadh has seen perceptions change.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Mar. 2026
More broadly, public perceptions of big business are at rock bottom.
—Kathryn Anne Edwards, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The results for the November-January period blew past the analyst projections that shape investors’ perceptions, as has been the case since Nvidia’s high-end chips emerged as AI’s best building blocks three years ago.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
As Paul Donovan, chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, recently observed, reporting on actual economic realities no longer reflects economic perceptions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Trybal pairs elevated African cuisine with late-night programming and cultural storytelling designed to challenge perceptions of the continent while drawing new energy into the neighborhood.
—Patricia Kaowthumrong, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
On economics On perceptions of economic policy, Democrats have drawn closer to Republicans, compared to January.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
But as our perceptions of Clark shift with various revelations, Bateman masterfully modifies his bearing from blandly sinister to sweetly sincere and back again.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
But with few other options available, Riyadh has seen perceptions change.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Mar. 2026
More broadly, public perceptions of big business are at rock bottom.
—Kathryn Anne Edwards, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The results for the November-January period blew past the analyst projections that shape investors’ perceptions, as has been the case since Nvidia’s high-end chips emerged as AI’s best building blocks three years ago.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
As Paul Donovan, chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, recently observed, reporting on actual economic realities no longer reflects economic perceptions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptions
Noun
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Gelb said the broad crime rate decreases have made some criminologists question historic understandings of what drives trends in violent crime and how to battle it.—
Claudia Lauer,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
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And as states started to abandon Common Core, school controversies began to focus less on standards and achievement than on competing understandings of America itself.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Brian LaCroix, restaurant operator at Chick-fil-A, said the fast food chain will no longer be offering the military appreciations special.—
Rosanna Fraire,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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The release includes interviews, outtakes and critical appreciations.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perceptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptions. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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