perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv 
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
Examples of perceptive in a Sentence
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
Listen to this article Over the last quarter century, David Suchet became the definitive Hercule Poirot, starring as the fussy but perceptive private detective in 70 screen adaptations of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries.
—
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And this emotional but never melodramatic four-part drama, written by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials) and directed by Michael Keillor, is an unusually empathetic and perceptive example.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
The older women’s responses keep evolving, but Johanne’s mom does understandably worry that the teacher has abused her daughter (who’s a realistic, adolescent blend of perceptive and naive).
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Mighty is a warm and often perceptive figure who offers more insight on the social tensions and fault lines in Ruston than anyone else in the film.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
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.
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And this emotional but never melodramatic four-part drama, written by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials) and directed by Michael Keillor, is an unusually empathetic and perceptive example.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
The older women’s responses keep evolving, but Johanne’s mom does understandably worry that the teacher has abused her daughter (who’s a realistic, adolescent blend of perceptive and naive).
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Mighty is a warm and often perceptive figure who offers more insight on the social tensions and fault lines in Ruston than anyone else in the film.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand
Medical Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: responsive to sensory stimulus
a perceptive eye
perceptively
adverb
perceptiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share