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
The defamation case tests how the public perceives mainstream media amid constant right-wing attacks on its credibility.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
As experienced professionals approach retirement, the semiconductor industry is losing invaluable knowledge and expertise while simultaneously struggling to captivate newer talent who may perceive the industry as less dynamic than other technology segments.
—Christie Simons, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Her responses to Mexican audiences were widely perceived as dismissive, intensifying the controversy.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
As a socialist state (or so many believe) also victimized by Western imperialism, China is perceived by elements of the left as less malign than Israel, however terrible its human-rights abuses might be.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for perceive 
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Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
As experienced professionals approach retirement, the semiconductor industry is losing invaluable knowledge and expertise while simultaneously struggling to captivate newer talent who may perceive the industry as less dynamic than other technology segments.
—Christie Simons, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Her responses to Mexican audiences were widely perceived as dismissive, intensifying the controversy.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
As a socialist state (or so many believe) also victimized by Western imperialism, China is perceived by elements of the left as less malign than Israel, however terrible its human-rights abuses might be.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
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 20 Jan. 2025.
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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