perceptive

1 of 2

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
Synonyms of perceptive
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
perceptively adverb
perceptiveness noun
perceptivity
(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
noun

perceptiveness

2 of 2

noun

per·​cep·​tive·​ness
-tivnə̇s, 
-tēv-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being perceptive

Synonyms of perceptive

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of perceptive in a Sentence

Adjective 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
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.
Adjective
Those may be the best possible conditions for appreciating Hughes’s lowest-grossing directorial effort, a flawed but perceptive look at the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a parent. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026 The more perceptive investor should be looking for the new water, the reservoir behind it—and the organizations that had the foresight to start filling that reservoir years ago. — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Beyond her obvious allure, Nyong’o is able to communicate the quiet pain and shattering realities of both Helen and Clytemnestra, which is precisely why Nolan was so perceptive in casting her. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Your smartest and most perceptive employees will be the first to run for the door. — Ryan Hawk, Fortune, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceptive

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perceptive was in 1652

Rhymes for perceptive

See All Rhymes for perceptive

Browse Nearby Words

perceptionist
perceptive
perceptiveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

perceptive

adjective
per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand

Medical Definition

perceptive

adjective
per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
: responsive to sensory stimulus
a perceptive eye
perceptively adverb
perceptiveness noun
perceptivity
(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
noun
plural perceptivities

More from Merriam-Webster on perceptive

Nglish: Translation of perceptive for Spanish Speakers

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