perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv 
1
: responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning
a perceptive eye
2
a
: capable of or exhibiting keen perception : observant
a perceptive scholar
b
: characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight
Examples of perceptive in a Sentence
He is a very perceptive young man.
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Recent Examples on the Web
Consumers are very perceptive, and this can lead to audience alienation.
—
Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
While resilient and perceptive, Scorpios are natural investigators, always searching for the truth beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Gordon was a sharp, snarky, perceptive, occasionally judgmental but morally sound voice on the music, the business and the people — and judgment was certainly necessary.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
Jacobs gives these three crackling, perceptive actors plenty to work with and then steps back to capture their workaday magic.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceptive 
Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
While resilient and perceptive, Scorpios are natural investigators, always searching for the truth beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Gordon was a sharp, snarky, perceptive, occasionally judgmental but morally sound voice on the music, the business and the people — and judgment was certainly necessary.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
Jacobs gives these three crackling, perceptive actors plenty to work with and then steps back to capture their workaday magic.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceptive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perceptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near perceptive
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand
Medical Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: responsive to sensory stimulus
a perceptive eye
perceptively
adverb
perceptiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share