1
as in sensed
to have a vague awareness of
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticed
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understood
to have a clear idea of
I perceive your point, but I still disagree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perceived
Journalism is no longer perceived as the primary interpreter of events, but as one voice among many, arriving late.
—
Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
That pattern matters in democracies because coercive power must be perceived as legitimate to be accepted.
—Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
As for the trade deadline, the situation might have been unavoidable, if the Bucks simply never were going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo at this stage and if the Heat perceived Ja Morant at this moment too much of a gamble.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To figure out how much danger the officer perceived at the time of a shooting requires evidence, says Alex Reinert, director of the Center for Rights and Justice at the Cardozo School of Law.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Cities do that, advocates say, because officials fear encampments will be perceived as an eyesore for visitors.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Defense attorney Daniel De La Garza said the statements made by Clare to the CPS investigators were not voluntarily made, suggesting that the investigator could have been perceived as law enforcement by Clare.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Feb. 2026
Despite the recent controversy, Rose has been perceived largely positively in Poland over his virulent defense of Polish history.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Paranoia’s impulsiveness, fixation, and self consciousness are mirrored in romance as a desire to be perceived in a particular way by a specific audience, a curiosity to uncover something deeper and more vital, and the desire to disappear into a world safe from outside perceptions.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
That pattern matters in democracies because coercive power must be perceived as legitimate to be accepted.
—Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
As for the trade deadline, the situation might have been unavoidable, if the Bucks simply never were going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo at this stage and if the Heat perceived Ja Morant at this moment too much of a gamble.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To figure out how much danger the officer perceived at the time of a shooting requires evidence, says Alex Reinert, director of the Center for Rights and Justice at the Cardozo School of Law.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Cities do that, advocates say, because officials fear encampments will be perceived as an eyesore for visitors.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Defense attorney Daniel De La Garza said the statements made by Clare to the CPS investigators were not voluntarily made, suggesting that the investigator could have been perceived as law enforcement by Clare.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Feb. 2026
Despite the recent controversy, Rose has been perceived largely positively in Poland over his virulent defense of Polish history.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Paranoia’s impulsiveness, fixation, and self consciousness are mirrored in romance as a desire to be perceived in a particular way by a specific audience, a curiosity to uncover something deeper and more vital, and the desire to disappear into a world safe from outside perceptions.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceived
Verb
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Horses brought the firefighting apparatus and a big steed, aptly named Goliath, sensed the danger and ran out of the way, not before being injured.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Still, Vivian sensed something was off.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But reexamining this dot in light of ongoing LRD fever, the team noticed something strange.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Commeree also noticed that her social media algorithm shifted to show more birth emergencies after viewing the content.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The cold stillness felt temporary — as if the growers would return at any moment to prop up the crumpled tents, replant their crop and fling more beer cans and dirty underwear into the woods.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Even so, slower population growth is likely to ripple through the economy, with the immediate impacts felt in industries that are reliant on new household formation, such as housing, construction and health care, Ngomsi told CBS News.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The dramatic fading of this star, located around 3,200 light-years away in the Monoceros constellation, was first spotted at the end of 2024.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Simply being spotted around somebody discarding garbage on the ground can lead to a littering citation regardless of guilt.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Young knew almost instantly the tracks belonged to a river otter.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
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Fennell knew the film hinged on the casting of Cathy and Heathcliff, two iconic literary characters who have been portrayed by a multitude of actors over the years, including Laurence Olivier, Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During the trial, jurors learned about grim Google searches Brian had made after his wife died, including how to saw a body and how to clean blood off of wood floors.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
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Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Starmer had faced growing pressure over the past week to fire McSweeney, who is regarded as a key adviser in Downing Street and seen as a close ally of Mandelson.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Half of them were published in adulthood, with Frederick and Charles regarded as exceptionally promising poets until their talents were eclipsed not only by their younger brother but by their inner turmoil.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perceived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceived. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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