sentiment

noun

sen·​ti·​ment ˈsen-tə-mənt 

1

a

: an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling : predilection

b

: a specific view or notion : opinion

2

a

: emotion

b

: refined feeling : delicate sensibility especially as expressed in a work of art

c

: emotional idealism

d

: a romantic or nostalgic feeling verging on sentimentality

3

a

: an idea colored by emotion

b

: the emotional significance of a passage or expression as distinguished from its verbal context

Synonyms of sentiment

• emotion
• feeling
• chord
• sense

Choose the Right Synonym for sentiment

feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation.

feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true.

opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of sentiment in a Sentence

His criticism of the court's decision expresses a sentiment that is shared by many people.

an expression of antiwar sentiments

She likes warmth and sentiment in a movie.

You have to be tough to succeed in the business world. There's no room for sentiment.

Recent Examples on the Web

That kind of anecdotal genre fatigue doesn’t establish an industry surplus — but the sentiment does suggest that even devoted horror fans sometimes need help pacing themselves. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Kehoe shared the same sentiment in a statement last month, saying the state wants to balance citizen’s rights with the use of technology to fight crime. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Democrats have been shut out of power in the House, Senate, and presidency since January 2025—the kind of situation that can inflame populist sentiment in an opposition party. — Thomas Shull, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Mahsa, a writer and artist in her 30s, relayed similar sentiments. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French or Medieval Latin; French, from Medieval Latin sentimentum, from Latin sentire

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sentiment

noun

sen·​ti·​ment ˈsent-ə-mənt 

1

a

: a thought or attitude influenced by feeling

b

: a certain notion : opinion

2

: tender feelings of affection or yearning

Medical Definition

sentiment

noun

sen·​ti·​ment ˈsent-ə-mənt 

1

: an attitude, thought, or judgment colored or prompted by feeling or emotion

2

: emotion sense 2, feeling sense 2