perceptive

adjective

pər-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce perceptive (audio)
Definition of perceptivenext
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

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.
Recent Examples of perceptive Yet an outstanding cast, scripts that are perceptive about grief and remorse, and Hennie’s impressionistic directing more than make up for it. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 The wellness experts have been enticed from big hitting destination spas such as Chiva Som in Thailand and Vana in India, and are perceptive and highly experienced, although communications between departments could be better. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 Your perceptive nature senses a family need, household issue, or emotional loose end that should be handled before bigger plans move forward. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 Erin is deeply empathetic and highly perceptive — two qualities that don’t necessarily serve her well on Beechwood Island. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptive
  1. sensitive
  2. wise
  3. keen
  4. prudent
  5. quick
  6. insightful
  7. acute
Adjective
  • To avoid this sensitive date, pre-orders are now predicted to start on Saturday, September 12th.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Capricorn December 22 – January 19 A sensitive conversation can support your reputation when handled well.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The wisest societal response to this would, of course, be to set out a policy framework to address both the root causes and the symptoms of the problem.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • On her latest record, Girlfriend, Ives contends with getting older and wiser—and sober.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Luccardi was similarly keen to avoid reducing Miriam to a diagnosis.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Festival director Jovan Marjanović was keen to talk up Paweł Pawlikowski’s opening film, Fatherland, and to pay tribute to a jury comprising the likes of president Emily Watson, Woody Harrelson and Diego Luna.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of keen
Adjective
  • The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But the Court requires only four Justices to grant a case, and Brett Kavanaugh, whom Roberts had hoped would back his strategy of prudent avoidance, wouldn’t go along.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Staff in the South Stand offices would spend the winter months wearing jackets due to a broken boiler and, according to Bruce, only the players quickest to the dressing-room showers could expect to enjoy hot water after games.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This is excellent energy for captions, pitches, texts, brainstorming, flirting, or turning a quick idea into something shareable.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • The speech Adam Vinatieri delivered at the Pro Football Hall of Fame upon his induction was touching, insightful, emotional, and comedy-act funny.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Stapleton cites a book by the former head of Google’s HR, Laszlo Bock, entitled Work Rules, as being particularly insightful about these dynamics.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of insightful
Adjective
  • Prior to that show, Stewart, who has a history of thyroid cancer surgery, canceled and postponed concert stops in June following a diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infection, laryngitis and vocal fold strain.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Davis said the pain from her condition can be acute at times, while standing and walking is not always easy.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of acute

Browse Nearby Words

perceptions
perceptive
perceptiveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptive. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on perceptive

Nglish: Translation of perceptive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All