1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
a perceptive therapist was able to discover what was really troubling the youth
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 perceptive
Scholars believe that Aboriginal tales conveying perceptive observations and understanding of natural evidence are some of the most ancient geomyths in the world, helping scientists to understand seismic, volcanic, and other geological events in Australia’s remote past.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
What little institutional knowledge Wallace possessed then of the Nuggets was nonetheless perceptive — and remains so six years later.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The arc of Fatal Optimist and Diaz’s perceptive, insistent songwriting make that movement, even with its hesitation, feel like a victory.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
This demonstration highlights LimX Dynamics’ progress in embodied intelligence and autonomous motion while giving Oli a place in the list of highly agile and perceptive humanoid robots to look out for in the future.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
What little institutional knowledge Wallace possessed then of the Nuggets was nonetheless perceptive — and remains so six years later.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The arc of Fatal Optimist and Diaz’s perceptive, insistent songwriting make that movement, even with its hesitation, feel like a victory.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
This demonstration highlights LimX Dynamics’ progress in embodied intelligence and autonomous motion while giving Oli a place in the list of highly agile and perceptive humanoid robots to look out for in the future.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptive
Adjective
-
The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Or similarly, users pointing out that the Ratliff children, when seated three abreast, resemble the three wise monkeys of see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Up in the balcony, even Statler and Waldorf have stopped cracking wise.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Gates was keen to highlight that society needs to do more to ready itself for an AI era, and that work so far hasn’t been adequate.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Our daughter learnt how to draw comic strips with an Athenian cartoon artist and was keen to try the photography course and stargazing.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For this precancerous, very early-stage breast condition, careful monitoring may be more prudent than immediate surgery, research shows.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
That’s the most prudent path here.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As Beck spoke on the crowded field afterward, Cristobal swept past and stopped for quick bear hug.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Most people drive up a Forest Service Road for quicker access, putting them at the beginning of a two-mile out-and-back trail with roughly 2,500 feet of elevation gain.—
Outside,
Outside,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Delhomme’s answer, by turns humorous and insightful, is worth listening to.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Cherry Blossoms • Monique’s picking up on the intensity with which Angel clings to her identity as an NFL wife was genuinely insightful and has the potential to be a real breakthrough moment for Angel in what has been a very fraught season for her.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While these changes will impact the country as a whole, the effect here in Indiana could be particularly acute, environmentalists say.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
On January 5, less than one week after Tatiana died at just 35 years old of acute myeloid leukemia on December 30, Jack honored her with several moving quotes—including one from Tatiana herself.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptive. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share