feeling 1 of 3

1
2
as in passions
feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in feel
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus that odd feeling of forward movement you get when the parked car next to you backs out

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6

feeling

2 of 3

adjective

feeling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of feel
1
2
3
as in experiencing
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6

Synonym Chooser

How is the word feeling distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of feeling are affection, emotion, passion, and sentiment. While all these words 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

When can affection be used instead of feeling?

The words affection and feeling can be used in similar contexts, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How do emotion and feeling relate to one another?

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

When could passion be used to replace feeling?

The words passion and feeling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When might sentiment be a better fit than feeling?

The meanings of sentiment and feeling largely overlap; however, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of feeling
Noun
As our tools have become more efficient, our sense of time famine — the feeling that there’s never enough time — has only intensified. Arianna Huffington, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 But the nerves — the feeling of bracing for the worst — had grown as steady as the rationale for them. Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The trucking market is still feeling malaise even as more capacity continues to exit the market. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025 Bullied in high school for being different, the director grew up feeling isolated and alone. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • With unpredictable twists and emotions running high, this Halloween is especially chaotic, and Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — can't imagine what's in store.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Far from creating a cold, mechanical work experience, AI collaboration enhanced positive emotions in ways that rival human teamwork itself.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • A lot of times, people are nervous to let their passions fully engulf them.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Still, Diana and Willie remained a team, supporting their son's passions and staying actively involved in his life.
    Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some religious leaders have said the fact that Kirk's political agenda was driven by his Biblical beliefs meant he was killed for his faith and amounted to an attack on Christianity.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Emphasizing research and measurable outcomes, their philanthropy also reflects a broader belief that wealth should be used in real time—not preserved for future generations.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Known for excellent customer satisfaction and strong local support, Sonic performs on par with larger national fiber providers while maintaining a smaller, more personalized feel.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Instead, opt for an anorak with a utilitarian feel (and will keep you warm on cooler fall days) and plenty of pockets to hold smaller items like tissues, headphones, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But a lot of Democratic voters don't feel much sympathy for this argument.
    Ashley Lopez, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
  • One rendition of the story even displays a little sympathy for the devil, as Jennings shares.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Kwei, in the first display of mercy or kindness that Dek has ever seen, refuses to slay his own brother.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • So loving so tender, so, so smart.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Pictured with a loving 2D sense of verdant forest habitat and targeting 2-6s, a little frog and her friends live wild adventures around their forest, where music and friendship turn each day into discovery, learning and fun, says the synopsis.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • These would harness imaging or sensing satellites equipped with AI accelerators to process raw data in orbit.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
  • But after a rare miss on his first attempt, the volume briefly doubled, Minnesotans sensing a silver lining at the end of a loss.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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