emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
a
: a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body
b
: a state of feeling
c
: the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling
2
b
obsolete : disturbance
Choose the Right Synonym for emotion

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

Examples of emotion in a Sentence

a display of raw emotion The defendant showed no emotion when the verdict was read. She was overcome with emotion at the news of her friend's death.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This process of moving around the league, having to keep stopping and starting brought about a range of emotions for Johnson, especially doubt and loneliness. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 28 July 2025 In showcasing everything from Norman Rockwell to Charles Schulz, Lucas’s idea is to tap into human emotions/connections in response to this visual storytelling. Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 The second season hits Aug. 21, and a new Comic-Con trailer gave us a look at the show's humor, insanity and, yes, even some emotion – all set to a lot of catchy sleaze metal. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025 England’s Lionesses have sent the nation through the gamut of emotions en route to one of the biggest nights in English football history in Switzerland today (Sunday), but few will have felt those more intensely than those who know and inspired them. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotion

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from emouvoir to stir up, from Old French esmovoir, from Latin emovēre to remove, displace, from e- + movēre to move

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of emotion was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emotion. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

emotion

noun
emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
: strong feeling : excitement
2
: a mental reaction (as anger or fear) marked by strong feeling and usually causing physical effects

Medical Definition

emotion

noun
emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
: the affective aspect of consciousness
2
: a state of feeling
3
: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body compare affect
emotional adjective
emotionality noun
plural emotionalities

More from Merriam-Webster on emotion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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