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
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
Finding the humor in trauma can be cathartic—and some of the most perceptive scenes in The Bear clearly convey that.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2024
This is a succinct and perceptive metaphor for the condition of many of our patients.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perceptive 
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
Finding the humor in trauma can be cathartic—and some of the most perceptive scenes in The Bear clearly convey that.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2024
This is a succinct and perceptive metaphor for the condition of many of our patients.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 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
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