perception

noun

pər-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce perception (audio)
Definition of perceptionnext
1
as in insight
the ability to understand inner qualities or relationships a writer of considerable perception, she remembers how it feels to be confused and insecure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something a growing perception of the enormity of the problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun perception differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perception are acumen, discernment, discrimination, insight, and penetration. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

Where would acumen be a reasonable alternative to perception?

The synonyms acumen and perception are sometimes interchangeable, but acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

When is it sensible to use discernment instead of perception?

While the synonyms discernment and perception are close in meaning, discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

When could discrimination be used to replace perception?

Although the words discrimination and perception have much in common, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

When might insight be a better fit than perception?

In some situations, the words insight and perception are roughly equivalent. However, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

When is penetration a more appropriate choice than perception?

The words penetration and perception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

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 perception This can change behavior, not just perception. —Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025 Hawley has countered that the reason to enact reform is to combat the perception that Congress plays by a different set of rules than its constituents. —Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 3 Sep. 2025 The rise of local competitors continues to shift perception around what can be defined as a luxury good. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men. —Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perception
  1. insight
  2. understanding
  3. sensitivity
  4. appreciation
Noun
  • But planning a trip that appeals to every age group often requires careful thought and expert insight.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The adorable video has brought both laughter and some interesting insights into animal behavior from commenters.
    — Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of insight
Noun
  • She has been hailed for her deep understanding of local government and ability to reach across the aisle to implement her agenda.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Togetherness, understanding, players who want to fight in the same direction.
    — Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of understanding
Noun
  • Still, the daughter insists that this is about more than sensitivity.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Janelle and Lisa’s sensitivity to materials, language and symbols has resulted in a collection of work whose power lies in its balance between accessibility and poetry.
    — Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Language contains appreciation, perspective, and possibility.
    — Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Since the 2010s, however, his photographs have started to appear with greater frequency and impact in small exhibitions throughout the Pacific Northwest, earning Matsura an ever-widening circle of admiration and appreciation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of appreciation

Phrases Containing perception

Browse Nearby Words

perceptibly
perception
perceptions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perception. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on perception

Nglish: Translation of perception for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perception

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

A Guide to Using Semicolons

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Our Best Historical Slang Terms
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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
high school student holding a pencil leaning over a sat test
Challenging Standardized Test Words 20 questions to help you score 1600
See All