perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv 
1
: responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning
a perceptive eye
2
a
: capable of or exhibiting keen perception : observant
a perceptive scholar
b
: characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight
Examples of perceptive in a Sentence
He is a very perceptive young man.
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Recent Examples on the Web
Goaded by a perceptive but plodding lieutenant commander, Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore) Kaffee, however, gives the case more than his usual surface smoothing.
—
Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2024
Zweig is characteristically perceptive on the subject: Obviously, a week after Hitler had come to power the idea of monstrous events such as the burning and public execration of books, to become fact a few months later, was still beyond the comprehension of broad-minded people.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
The film’s most perceptive campaign jokes pilfer from Warren Beatty’s Bulworth but without Beatty’s satire of DNC bromides.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024
Haugerud’s airily woven script isn’t shy about hanging on coincidence and contrivance, as its various narrative strands hover between perceptive human observation and playful hypothesis.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024
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Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2024
Zweig is characteristically perceptive on the subject: Obviously, a week after Hitler had come to power the idea of monstrous events such as the burning and public execration of books, to become fact a few months later, was still beyond the comprehension of broad-minded people.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
The film’s most perceptive campaign jokes pilfer from Warren Beatty’s Bulworth but without Beatty’s satire of DNC bromides.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024
Haugerud’s airily woven script isn’t shy about hanging on coincidence and contrivance, as its various narrative strands hover between perceptive human observation and playful hypothesis.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceptive
Dictionary Entries Near perceptive
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptive. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand
Medical Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: responsive to sensory stimulus
a perceptive eye
perceptively
adverb
perceptiveness
noun
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