perceived; perceiving; perceives
1
a
: to attain awareness or understanding of
b
: to regard as being such
was perceived as a loser
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
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
Prosch is especially sensitive to perspective and how the viewer perceives her art, Skipper added.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Still, it can be perceived as aggressive or disrespectful in others where a more nuanced, indirect approach is preferred.
—Braden Yuill, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Republicans perceive these industries to be economic lifelines for the state, also playing a broader role in national energy security, particularly while global demand for energy continues to grow.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Extra funding means nothing when the IRS is used to go after political opponents and perceived undesirables.
—William Henck, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceive 
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Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Still, it can be perceived as aggressive or disrespectful in others where a more nuanced, indirect approach is preferred.
—Braden Yuill, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Republicans perceive these industries to be economic lifelines for the state, also playing a broader role in national energy security, particularly while global demand for energy continues to grow.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Extra funding means nothing when the IRS is used to go after political opponents and perceived undesirables.
—William Henck, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceive
Dictionary Entries Near perceive
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceive
verb
per·ceive
pər-ˈsēv 
perceived; perceiving
2
: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight
perceiver
noun
Medical Definition
perceive
transitive verb
per·ceive
pər-ˈsēv
perceived; perceiving
: to become aware of through the senses
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