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to perceive

to perceive

369 3.0
To become aware of something in your mind and understand it
  • verb
  • /pərˈsiːv/
translation icon : darse cuenta (de)
  • Over time, children learn to perceive the differences between right and wrong.
  • perceived support
  • perceived stress
  • perceived fairness

They will at some level perceive their child as a threat.

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Examples

Synonyms

to see
vsto perceive
1.0

To understand what something means

emphasizes basic awareness rather than full understanding
to feel
vsto perceive
1.0

To notice an emotion or a physical sensation in your body

is cognitive awareness rather than primarily emotional or physical sensing
to hear
vsto perceive
1.0

Notice sounds with your ears

is broader awareness beyond only hearing
to understand
vsto perceive
1.0

To know the meaning of something

is about becoming aware rather than fully grasping meaning
to know
vsto perceive
1.0

To recognize a person or thing you have seen before

is about becoming aware rather than knowing or identifying
to realize
vsto perceive
  • US
1.1

To suddenly understand something you did not know before

is general awareness rather than that sudden clear insight
to tell
vsto perceive
1.8

Know from signs that something is true

focuses on simple awareness rather than active discernment
to read
vsto perceive
1.8

To look at signs or actions and understand what they mean

is about becoming aware not specifically interpreting signs or symbols
to detect
vsto perceive
763 3.2

Find something that is hard to notice

is broader awareness rather than finding subtle or hidden things
to recognize
vsto perceive
  • US
705 1.4

To be fully aware that something is true or happening

focuses on simple awareness rather than confirming truth
to sense
vsto perceive
629 4.2

To notice something by feeling or by using a tool

is mental awareness rather than only physical or instrumental detection
to observe
vsto perceive
619 2.4

To watch something carefully to learn about it

is becoming aware in general rather than focused careful watching
to comprehend
vsto perceive
137 2.7

To understand the meaning of something

stresses awareness or notice rather than deep understanding
to discern
vsto perceive
70 5.8

To notice something that is hard to see or hear

is general awareness rather than careful, effortful detection
to take notice
vsto perceive
42 3.5

To see and pay attention to something

is general awareness without the extra attention or interest
to apprehend
vsto perceive
  • Formal
9 4.3

To understand the meaning of something

becomes aware rather than fully grasping or analyzing meaning
to cognize
vsto perceive
1 9.6

To notice and understand something in your mind

is about becoming aware rather than deeper comprehension
to apperceive
vsto perceive
  • Specialized
9.9

To notice something and connect it to past experiences

is general becoming aware without linking to past knowledge

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Clear

to understand
1.0
to realize
  • US
1.1
to perceive
369 3.0
to recognize
  • US
1.4
to detect
763 3.2
to sense
629 4.2

Surface Forms

perceive infinitive
perceived past
perceived past participle
perceiving present participle
perceives third person singular

Etymology

Perceive comes from Latin parts per- ('through') and capere ('to take'), the same root as capture. So to perceive in the sense of 'realize' or 'understand' is like 'taking' an idea into your mind, which explains why it means to become aware or to understand.