1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
a perceptive therapist was able to discover what was really troubling the youth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perceptive
Somehow an imaginary conversation with a wounded, yet very perceptive cat becomes a turning point in the story.
—
John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Cole, a sociologist and Columbia University’s former dean of faculties, offers a doorstop history of the modern research university that doubles as an unusually perceptive defense of these schools.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 21 July 2025
Her immersive, richly detailed adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s 2001 memoir of the same name is an engrossing drama told from a child’s perspective, in this case that of inquisitive 8-year-old Bobo (Lex Venter, giving one of the most perceptive child performances ever).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
His crush, Mena Suvari’s spiky, perceptive Dora, is involved with one of her professors (a weaselly Greg Kinnear).
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Cole, a sociologist and Columbia University’s former dean of faculties, offers a doorstop history of the modern research university that doubles as an unusually perceptive defense of these schools.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 21 July 2025
Her immersive, richly detailed adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s 2001 memoir of the same name is an engrossing drama told from a child’s perspective, in this case that of inquisitive 8-year-old Bobo (Lex Venter, giving one of the most perceptive child performances ever).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
His crush, Mena Suvari’s spiky, perceptive Dora, is involved with one of her professors (a weaselly Greg Kinnear).
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptive
Adjective
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Short-term health risks, especially for sensitive populations, can include eyes, throat and nose irritation, asthma attacks, coughing and shortness of breath.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Aug. 2025
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There’s another potential dynamic at play, too: Will humans be more willing to divulge more sensitive details to a machine than another human?—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Stashing a talented prospect like him is a wise decision for a front office that should be taking a long view with its rebuild, not to mention Douglas’ history of concussions (two in 2023) and contract coming up next season.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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But the Tigers also made wise offseason moves, not the least of which was signing former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million contract.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hamburg are keen on signing the 18-year-old centre-half to reinforce their squad following promotion back to the Bundesliga.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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Ken, too, isnt so keen on Ned rocking the boat and changing things up.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hope alone isn’t prudent in the pursuit of a playoff spot or division title.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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Stars win, no matter how prudent the finances are with the overall roster.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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These routines are highly edited, almost hypnotic, with quick cuts, each mini-scene overlaid with a time stamp.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Recent Soft Jobs Data Nonetheless, FOMC minutes released 3 weeks after the event, though insightful, are typically somewhat stale.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Rishi Chandra, vice president for Health at Google, says the company had to balance a fine line between responses that were too short and weren't insightful, and extremely lengthy responses.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Officials did not provide information on the person’s condition or whether they were hospitalized or had underlying health conditions, common among those with acute symptoms of West Nile.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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These include having recurrent lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia, new or worse shortness of breath, a cough that brings up mucus and phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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