Sense (Verb)
Meaning 1
Become aware of not through the senses but instinctively; "I sense his hostility"; "I smell trouble"; "smell out corruption".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- I sense a hidden agenda behind their proposal.
- She can smell trouble brewing in the company's financial reports.
- He's been able to smell out corruption in every organization he's worked for.
- I sense a feeling of unease in the room whenever the topic comes up.
- She has a knack for being able to smell out potential customers for her business.
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Meaning 2
Detect some circumstance or entity automatically; "This robot can sense the presence of people in the room"; "particle detectors sense ionization".
Classification
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling.
Examples
- This advanced proximity sensor can sense the approach of a vehicle and automatically open the garage door.
- Heat detectors sense temperature changes in the environment to alert people of potential fires.
- The humidity control system can sense when the air is too dry and activate the humidifier.
- Radar systems sense the presence of aircraft and track their movement in real-time.
- These smoke detectors sense even the smallest particles in the air to detect potential fires.
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Meaning 3
Perceive by a physical sensation, e.g., coming from the skin or muscles; "He felt the wind"; "She felt an object brushing her arm"; "He felt his flesh crawl"; "She felt the heat when she got out of the car".
Classification
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling.
Examples
- She felt the warm sun on her skin as she walked to the beach.
- He felt the rough fabric of the couch scratching his arm.
- She felt the cold breeze when she opened the window.
- He felt his muscles tensing up as he lifted the heavy weights.
- She felt the vibrations of her phone in her pocket as it rang.
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Meaning 4
Comprehend; "I sensed the real meaning of his letter".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- She sensed the unease in the room and tried to diffuse it with a joke.
- The coach sensed his player's frustration and decided to give him a break.
- He sensed her hesitation and reassured her with a gentle smile.
- The audience sensed the actors' tension on stage and responded with uneasy laughter.
- The detective sensed a hidden motive behind the witness's testimony.