1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
a perceptive therapist was able to discover what was really troubling the youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perceptive
Meanwhile, the most perceptive characters are the women: despite her self-destructive behavior, Lily is hardly naïve about her choices in life or men.
—
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
You’re determined, perceptive and adventurous.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2025
Evie was intelligent, basically, but not very perceptive.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Perhaps, had things gone differently, this could have been avoided—if Carter’s Iran policy had been more considered, if the Shah and his most perceptive adviser hadn’t both been dying of cancer, if a son’s death hadn’t made Khomeini a resistance icon, if Saddam had killed Khomeini in August.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
You’re determined, perceptive and adventurous.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2025
Evie was intelligent, basically, but not very perceptive.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Perhaps, had things gone differently, this could have been avoided—if Carter’s Iran policy had been more considered, if the Shah and his most perceptive adviser hadn’t both been dying of cancer, if a son’s death hadn’t made Khomeini a resistance icon, if Saddam had killed Khomeini in August.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptive
Adjective
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Formulated without alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, the TheraBreath Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse uses glucose oxidase and enzymes called papain to help break up stains and kill bad-breath-causing bacteria—all without aggravating sensitive teeth and gums.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Organizations are increasingly relying on AI to handle the initial assessment load, especially in high-volume or compliance-sensitive hiring scenarios.—
Aaron Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Either by choice or otherwise, Wolves lost seven players who appeared regularly in the first team last season and brought in six new faces, so numbers-wise, there is little difference.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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The measure further reduces offshore drilling, but the effort to compensate in a region that is highly dependent on the oil industry was a wise move.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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So far, no travel plans have been made, but several analysts expect Xi to repeat his offer, especially knowing that Trump is always keen to be received with diplomatic fanfare.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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Vultures possess a keen sense of smell which is unique to the species and explains why they are drawn to dead animals.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This additional layer of lateral thinking is almost never prudent, and usually serves to kill both guardians quicker (and instill a killer headache).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cramer said Fed Chair Jerome Powell is prudent, which is a desirable characteristic for those in his position.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, a quick review of the central bank’s dot plot underscores just how divided the Fed Governors are on the question of whether to cut interest rates (and by how much) over the next 12 months.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Changing your own wipers is quick and easy.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Soccer stars aren’t known for their willingness to wade into politics, but Zvonimir Boban, a wonderful player who also happens to have a degree in history, gave us an honest and insightful interview.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
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Devin Harris, Nowitzki’s former teammate who is now one of Dallas’ color commentators, said Nowitzki does a good job of communicating casually while being insightful.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In women, nerve issues or a cystocele (a type of pelvic organ prolapse, or dropped bladder) can alter flow, but acute urinary retention is much less common, affecting only about 3 in 100,000 women each year.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
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Kazakhstan’s president recognizes the acute competition for investors’ dollars.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptive. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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