PERCEPTION Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

perception

noun

pər-ˈsep-shən

Definition of perception next

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

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

Examples of perception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Consumer confidence plunged by the most in three years this month as more Americans adopt increasingly negative perceptions of the current and future economy. —

Courtenay Brown, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024 Signs for Change Rogan Productions – BBC Production team Rose Ayling-Ellis fronts a ground-breaking film challenging perceptions of the deaf community and putting audiences at the heart of the deaf experience. —

Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024 And yet, in an educational landscape fueled by perceptions of scarcity, students can absorb an unconscious and unintended message that mistakes are permanent and have no value. —

Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2024 Lisa Curtis, an Asia policy expert at the Center for a New American Security, who previously worked at the White House, CIA and State Department, said India, which is not part of any military alliance, has been worried about perceptions that the Quad could be militarizing the Indo-Pacific. —

USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perception

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perception.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.