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imperceptive

imperceptive

8.0
Slow to notice things and people's feelings
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪmpərˈsɛptɪv/
translation icon : imperceptivo
  • Many imperceptive individuals fail to notice when someone is upset or needs help.

Examples

  • Maybe I'm extremely imperceptive; maybe Romney started winning after I found better things to do with my time that evening, or maybe the media has switched its allegiance.

    Blog text (14)
  • I thought how stupid, imperceptive, and self-centered I had been never to have understood what my father's dream for his life had been.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Some people are extremely just but imperceptive and uncaring.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Imperceptive professorial comments that students do nothing in college because they did nothing in secondary school are reported with approval.

    Academic text (1998)
  • She was imperceptive to the subtle changes in her friends' emotions during the conversation.

  • His imperceptive nature often led him to overlook important details in the report.

Synonyms

blind
vsimperceptive
360 4.9

Not noticing facts or reason because of strong feelings

is about slow noticing rather than absent reasoning or broad misunderstanding
oblivious
vsimperceptive
76 6.3

Not noticing what happens around you

means being slow to notice rather than fully unaware
inattentive
vsimperceptive
5 5.3

Does not notice what is happening or small details

is about slow noticing rather than a careless attitude
absentminded
vsimperceptive
2 5.9

A person who often does not pay attention and forgets small things like keys

means slow noticing rather than internal distraction and forgetfulness
unmindful
vsimperceptive
1 7.2

Not aware of what is happening around you

describes slow noticing rather than heedless inattention
unseeing
vsimperceptive
1 7.4

Not noticing what is around you because you are lost in thought

applies more broadly to slow noticing, not only visual registering
unobservant
vsimperceptive
1 5.9

You do not notice small details around you

refers to slow noticing overall, not just missing details
incognizant
vsimperceptive
1 8.8

Not aware of what is happening around you

applies to slow noticing rather than specific lack of knowledge
unperceiving
vsimperceptive
8.6

Not noticing things around you

focuses on being slow to notice rather than lacking ability
unperceptive
vsimperceptive
7.3

Not good at noticing or understanding things

is about slow noticing rather than poor sensitivity or insight
unattentive
vsimperceptive
6.5

Not paying attention to what is happening or being said

highlights slow noticing rather than simply lacking focus on tasks
unwatchful
vsimperceptive
7.3

Not paying attention makes you miss danger or problems

covers general slow noticing rather than only lack of danger awareness

Antonyms

43 5.5

Quick to notice or understand small details and meaning

35 3.9

Quick to notice small details and things around you

How Perceptive

insightful
79 5.7
perceptive
43 5.5
observant
35 3.9
unobservant
1 5.9
imperceptive
8.0

Surface Forms

imperceptive positive

Morphology

imperceptive = perceptive (transparent) = im + percept + ive

Formed by the negative prefix 'im-' attached to the adjective 'perceptive', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not perceptive'.

Etymology

The word imperceptive starts with im- meaning 'not' and comes from perceive, which means 'to see or notice'. So, imperceptive means 'not noticing' or slow to notice things, which is why we use it for people who miss obvious clues.