perceptual

adjective

per·​cep·​tu·​al (ˌ)pər-ˈsep-chə-wəl How to pronounce perceptual (audio)
-chəl,
-shwəl
: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience
perceptually adverb

Examples of perceptual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Human perceptual systems evolved to quickly assess environments for any threats to survival, with sensitivity to sudden changes − such as a quick-moving predator − sacrificing precision for speed of detection. Arryn Robbins, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025 Ben Zhao How Nightshade And Glaze Protect Artists From AI Exploitation Zhao explains that while both Glaze and Nightshade exploit the perceptual gap between humans and AI, their goals and methods differ significantly. Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 The idea with microdosing is that a person takes a tiny dose of a psychedelic, usually either LSD or psilocybin, with a goal of feeling no acute perceptual effects whatsoever. New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025 In line with the idea that certain sounds may coincide with particular emotions, researchers have found that words may likewise link particular vowel sounds with certain experiences or perceptual associations. Katarzyna Pisanski, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perceptual

Word History

Etymology

percept + -ual (as in conceptual)

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perceptual was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptual. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

perceptual

adjective
: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience
auditory perceptual deficits
perceptually adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on perceptual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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