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
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
Older adults are often targeted because they are perceived as trusting, polite and less likely to report fraud out of embarrassment or confusion.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Some of the judges who have been fired or pushed out have spoken out publicly, indicating that the administration appears to often target those perceived as relatively pro-immigrant.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
One 46-year-old woman working for a global company insisted on maintaining her anonymity, voicing concerns about how she would be perceived.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
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Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Older adults are often targeted because they are perceived as trusting, polite and less likely to report fraud out of embarrassment or confusion.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Some of the judges who have been fired or pushed out have spoken out publicly, indicating that the administration appears to often target those perceived as relatively pro-immigrant.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
One 46-year-old woman working for a global company insisted on maintaining her anonymity, voicing concerns about how she would be perceived.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceive
Cite this Entry
“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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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