PERCEPTIVE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

perceptive

adjective

pər-ˈsep-tiv

Definition of perceptive

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

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 But although the mysterious connections between siblings are an area ripe for exploration, Herzog doesn’t seem all that interested beyond the quirk factor, making the film seem precious rather than perceptive. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Some are scholarly, some deliciously indiscreet, all are perceptive in one way or another, and one plunges wholesale into obsession. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 The conversations that the screening started showed Teng that people are becoming more perceptive to watching stories from Palestine. — Matt Minton, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Those may be the best possible conditions for appreciating Hughes’s lowest-grossing directorial effort, a flawed but perceptive look at the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a parent. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceptive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptive

Adjective

Adolescence is an exquisitely sensitive time in the brain’s development.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The chipmaker’s relationships with customers are similarly interlaced and sensitive.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Anthropic updates its policies to bar users being cruel to Claude, inflaming a debate about whether the company’s concern for ‘model welfare’ is wise.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

There's good reason families are increasingly keen to cut college costs.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
The textual literalism that dominates the action is shown up by a few moments of keen-eyed observation—above all, in a calm but mighty reveal in Alberto’s episode.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of keen

Adjective

The end of Sunday’s Last Week Tonight featured a characteristically stupid, yet insightful segment about effective ways to push back against corny and annoying corporate branding.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
There are other things about this book that are insightful and poignant about the nature of being a human.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of insightful

Adjective

The cause was determined to be a lack of oxygen to the brain due to severe asthma with acute lung injury while fighting cold-like symptoms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Other medications are used to treat acute relapses or manage symptoms such as fatigue, walking difficulties, spasticity and bladder problems.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of acute

Browse Nearby Words

perceptions

perceptive

perceptiveness

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“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perceptive

adjective

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