perceive

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving; perceives
Synonyms of perceive

transitive verb

1
a
: to attain awareness or understanding of
b
: to regard as being such
was perceived as a loser
2
: to become aware of through the senses
especially : see, observe
perceivable
pər-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce perceive (audio)
adjective
perceivably
pər-ˈsē-və-blē How to pronounce perceive (audio)
adverb
perceiver noun

Synonyms of perceive

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them. —James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure. perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Its rationalist pedigree can also be perceived in the careful selection of materials and finishes, with an abundance of Italian marble and granite, a common theme of the design which reflects the aesthetics of the façade. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 This body of research forms some of the latticework of a social-reproduction theory of education, in which public schools are largely perceived as reflecting and reinforcing the socioeconomic structures of their surrounding community. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 For Krakoff, the momentum reflects a broader shift in how consumers perceive John Hardy and the value of its designs. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Witnesses to the evening agree with me that nothing that could even have been remotely perceived as offensive was said. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of perceive was in the 14th century

Rhymes for perceive

See All Rhymes for perceive

Browse Nearby Words

perceivance
perceive
perceived
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

perceive

verb
per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving
1
: understand sense 1a, comprehend
2
: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight
perceiver noun

Medical Definition

perceive

transitive verb
per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving
: to become aware of through the senses
perceivable
-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce perceive (audio)
adjective
perceivably
-blē How to pronounce perceive (audio)
adverb
perceiver noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All