1
as in sensing
to have a vague awareness of
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I perceive your point, but I still disagree
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 perceiving
One of the diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa is body image disturbance, the experience of perceiving oneself as larger than one actually is.
—
Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Sam always found this really interesting line of being very truthful of what is going on behind closed doors in a generation, but then also pushing the boundaries on how people are used to perceiving or digesting certain topics.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
In 2020, Samir Nurmohamed, now an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania, published a paper that showed evidence that perceiving yourself as an underdog can lead to higher motivation and better performance at work.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 2 June 2026
And there is the feeling of each character’s eyes taking in the viewer, creating a question of who is perceiving who.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Abraham Lincoln was wary of the doctrine, perceiving that any such notion of divine inevitability could be used to justify land grabs and war.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Kepler devoted much of his career to figuring out optics, and was arguably the first scientific thinker to articulate the difference between seeing and perceiving.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The goal is to break the mental shorthand that keeps most of us from actually perceiving what's around us.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
The newly-sighted get better at perceiving differences in color, shape, and size — even if they were treated for their congenital cataracts after years of blindness—but not so much at spotting differences in shading or contours.
—Sachin Rawat, Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Sam always found this really interesting line of being very truthful of what is going on behind closed doors in a generation, but then also pushing the boundaries on how people are used to perceiving or digesting certain topics.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
In 2020, Samir Nurmohamed, now an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania, published a paper that showed evidence that perceiving yourself as an underdog can lead to higher motivation and better performance at work.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 2 June 2026
And there is the feeling of each character’s eyes taking in the viewer, creating a question of who is perceiving who.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Abraham Lincoln was wary of the doctrine, perceiving that any such notion of divine inevitability could be used to justify land grabs and war.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Kepler devoted much of his career to figuring out optics, and was arguably the first scientific thinker to articulate the difference between seeing and perceiving.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The goal is to break the mental shorthand that keeps most of us from actually perceiving what's around us.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
The newly-sighted get better at perceiving differences in color, shape, and size — even if they were treated for their congenital cataracts after years of blindness—but not so much at spotting differences in shading or contours.
—Sachin Rawat, Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceiving
Verb
-
The flowing fluid can transport hydraulic power to actuators, carry chemical substances such as drugs or sensing agents, and potentially transmit information signals through fluidic pathways.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
-
As governments and industries seek faster communications, more capable radar systems, and advanced sensing technologies, high-frequency GaN devices are expected to play an increasingly important role in future wireless infrastructure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, more people are noticing and appreciating it.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Cycle syncing is most useful as a framework for noticing your own patterns rather than a strict rulebook.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
While there are lash-growth serums, lengthening mascaras, and even professional lash extensions, knowing when and how to use each of these methods is what will actually make a difference.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
17 June 2026
-
In the face of not knowing what AI will mean or become, our storytelling mind has jumped in to create answers where there are only questions, known in what is unknown.—
Nancy Colier,
Baltimore Sun,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Another patient, David Nurieli, described seeing elderly individuals forced to walk or be carried up three flights of stairs when the elevator fails.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Those concerns were amplified by Marsch only seeing his players every few months before the World Cup.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The sector is increasingly turning to the defense industry, spotting an opportunity to collaborate and capitalize upon the continent's rise in military spending.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
The waters here are considered some of the best for sailing and tarpon fishing, and there's a good chance of spotting dolphins and sea turtles.—
Ana Pelayo Connery,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One useful lens for understanding this landscape divides entities into five main groups based on their primary orientation toward creating value.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Much of the discussion tied back to the importance of giving Afghan immigrants the opportunity to become functioning members of their communities by getting jobs, creating businesses, becoming educated, learning English and understanding the country’s culture.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The crowd was feeling good, if a bit sweaty — and a little in disbelief at the sight of a fighting ring next to one of the most hallowed symbols of American democracy.—
Liam Bowman,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
-
Plenty of restaurants in New York are preposterously expensive, and Marcel is, too—a cocktail alone can run more than forty bucks—but the restaurant pulls off the much rarer trick of feeling actually rich.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The Medline warehouse has faced serious citations regarding unsafe vehicle travel behavior; hazardous aisles, ladders, or stairways; and a lack of sufficient foot protection for employees exposed to foot injuries.—
Lyanne Wang,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
And there are concerns regarding possible negative effects of angiogenesis associated with peptides.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceiving. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
