Meaning & use
perceived as
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Regarded or understood in a particular way by people, whether or not that view is correct.
Grammar: It is passive and is followed by a noun or an adjective: 'perceived as a threat', 'perceived as rude'.
Patterns
- be perceived as something
- be perceived as doing something
- be perceived as an outsider
The new policy was perceived as unfair by many workers.
She is often perceived as cold, but she is just shy.
The changes were perceived as a threat to local jobs.
Common combinations
- perceived as a threat
- The company's expansion was perceived as a threat by smaller rivals.
- perceived as unfair
- The decision was perceived as unfair by the staff.
- perceived as an outsider
- He was perceived as an outsider because he hadn't grown up in the town.
- widely perceived as
- The measure is widely perceived as a political move.
Synonyms and how they differ
- seen as
- More common and less formal; it can suggest a simpler or more direct judgment.
- regarded as
- Very close in meaning, but often suggests a more considered or official opinion.
- viewed as
- Similar, but slightly more formal and often used in reports or analysis.
Word family
- perceive verb
- To notice, see, or understand something in a particular way.
- perception noun
- The way you think about or understand something.
Commonly confused: perceived as or perceptive?
perceived as vs perceptive
This adjective means 'good at noticing things', not 'regarded in a certain way'.
Practice
The new rules were perceived ______ a burden by small businesses.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'perceived as' followed by a noun or adjective. 'Perceived like' is not standard in this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “perceived as”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.