Synonyms for perceive
pərˈsivper·ceive

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.5 / 6 votes

1. perceive

   We perceive what is presented through the senses. We apprehend what is presented to the mind, whether through the senses or by any other means. Yet perceive is used in the figurative sense of seeing through to a conclusion, in a way for which usage would not allow us to substitute apprehend; as, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet," John iv, 19. That which we apprehend we catch, as with the hand; that which we conceive we are able to analyze and recompose in our mind; that which we comprehend, we, as it were, grasp around, take together, seize, embrace wholly within the mind. Many things may be apprehended which can not be comprehended; a child can apprehend the distinction between right and wrong, yet the philosopher can not comprehend it in its fulness. We can apprehend the will of God as revealed in conscience or the Scriptures; we can conceive of certain attributes of Deity, as his truth and justice; but no finite intelligence can comprehend the Divine Nature, in its majesty, power, and perfection. Compare ANTICIPATE; ARREST; CATCH; KNOWLEDGE.

   Synonyms:
   apprehend, comprehend, conceive, understand

   Antonyms:
   fail of, ignore, lose, misapprehend, misconceive, miss, overlook

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. perceive

   Synonyms:
   discern, distinguish, descry, observe, feel, touch, see, recognize, understand, know

   Antonyms:
   miss, misobserve, overlook, misunderstand, misconceive, misperceive

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. perceive, comprehendverb

   to become aware of through the senses

   "I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon"

   Synonyms:
   cover, dig, apprehend, perceive, savvy, encompass, grok, compass, get the picture, comprehend, grasp, embrace

2. perceiveverb

   become conscious of

   "She finally perceived the futility of her protest"

   Synonyms:
   comprehend

Matched Categories

1. • Realize

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. perceiveverb

   Synonyms:
   see, discover, note, notice, remark, observe, descry, behold, discern

2. perceiveverb

   Synonyms:
   feel, be sensible of

3. perceiveverb

   Synonyms:
   understand, comprehend, know

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. perceiveverb

   Synonyms:
   see, discern, observe, apprehend, comprehend, understand

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:2.5 / 2 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "perceive":

   collect, receive

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use perceive in a sentence?

1. Barack Obama:

   They don't seem to offer many solutions to the disasters they perceive, but they're quick to tell you who to blame. There's nothing particularly patriotic or American about talking down America, especially when we stand as one of the few sources of economic strength in the world.

2. State John Kerry:

   If certain entities perceive that whatever we're doing is going to help Assad to stay, that complicates issues, so it has to be done in a way that manages the passions ... among people who have been fighting Assad for four years.

3. John Drury:

   Some people will carry on, will continue to wear masks and to distance and they might perceive others as selfish for not doing so ; those who don't do so might see others as overanxious, solidarity is good for us, social support is good for us and those around us. It will be a source of distress for a lot of people to have that level of conflict.

4. Nathan Metcalf:

   It's an old water system that many perceive isn't set up to deal with current climatic and hydraulic conditions, it's just not really set up to deal with climate change and the changing needs for water both from an environmental standpoint, and then there's also the rub between agriculture and municipal.

5. Paul Thompson:

   We want to see a winner, and I think we perceive him as a winner.