opinion

opin·ion | \ ə-ˈpin-yən

Definition of opinion

1a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter We asked them for their opinions about the new stadium.

b : approval, esteem I have no great opinion of his work.

2a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge a person of rigid opinions

b : a generally held view news programs that shape public opinion

3a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert My doctor says that I need an operation, but I'm going to get a second opinion.

b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based The article discusses the recent Supreme Court opinion.

Other Words from opinion Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about opinion

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Choose the Right Synonym for opinion

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

opinion and belief mean a judgment that someone thinks is true. opinion is used when the judgment is not yet final or certain but is founded on some facts. I soon changed my opinion of the plan. belief is used if the judgment is certain and firm in a person's own mind without regard to the amount or kind of evidence. It's my belief we'll win the election.

Examples of opinion in a Sentence

We asked for their opinions about the new stadium. In my opinion, it's the best car on the market. The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.

Recent Examples on the Web Maybe, but a Supreme Court case won't fix generational shaming, Megan Gerhardt writes in an opinion piece. — NBC News, "Impeachment trial begins, Iran praises strikes and is that Awkwafina's voice?: The Morning Rundown," 17 Jan. 2020 Before the formal opening of the trial, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion saying Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine. — Fox News, "Trump's impeachment trial opens as lawmakers continue to battle over potential witnesses," 17 Jan. 2020 Look into the future: On the latest episode of the Battleground PA podcast, PennLive political reporters Charlie Thompson, David Wenner and editor Ron Southwick join opinion editor Joyce Davis to read some of the 2020 tea leaves. — cleveland, "Liberal group pushing gerrymandering reform targeting several Flyover states: The Flyover," 17 Jan. 2020 In the end, most opinion about the president is already set in concrete. — Michael Tanner, National Review, "To Beat Trump, 2020 Democrats Will Need to Convince Voters They Can Be Trusted with the Economy," 15 Jan. 2020 Corbyn, meanwhile, began to win grudging praise from the guardians of established opinion for his willingness to coordinate the resistance. — David Graeber, The New York Review of Books, "The Center Blows Itself Up: Care and Spite in the ‘Brexit Election’," 13 Jan. 2020 Baldwin urged the people’s opinions to be considered. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "What Happened When King Edward VIII Quit the Royal Family?," 12 Jan. 2020 If opinion surveys are any guide, the current president, Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which supports eventual independence, will beat Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang (KMT), which advocates closer ties with China. — The Economist, "The Economist explains What is at stake in the Taiwan election?," 10 Jan. 2020 Locally, Pawasarat was often cited and quoted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in stories and investigations, in addition to writing his own opinion pieces. — Devi Shastri, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "John Pawasarat used research, data to shed light on marginalized, poor, incarcerated," 9 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opinion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

21 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opinion. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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More Definitions for opinion

opinion

noun

English Language Learners Definition of opinion

: a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing

: advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert

technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules

See the full definition for opinion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

opinion

noun

opin·ion | \ ə-ˈpin-yən

Kids Definition of opinion

1 : a belief based on experience and on certain facts but not amounting to sure knowledge In my opinion you should take the job.

2 : a judgment about a person or thing She has a high opinion of herself.

3 : a statement by an expert after careful study He should get an opinion from a lawyer.

opinion

noun

opin·ion | \ ə-ˈpin-yən

Medical Definition of opinion

: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert wanted a second opinion on the advisability of performing the operation

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opinion

noun

opin·ion | \ ə-ˈpin-yən

Legal Definition of opinion

1a : a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

b : a formal expression of a judgment or appraisal by an expert — see also opinion testimony at testimony — compare fact

2a : advice or evaluation regarding the legal issues involved in a situation given by an attorney to a client an opinion of title

— called also legal opinion

— see also opinion letter at letter sense 1

b : an advisory opinion issued by an authorized public official (as an attorney general) or a recognized body (as the American Bar Association)

3a : the formal written expression by a court or judge of the reasons and principles of law upon which the decision in a case is based — compare holding, judgment, ruling

— advisory opinion

: a nonbinding opinion or evaluation of a court or other judicial or quasi-judicial authority or body regarding the effect of the law on a situation that does not present an actual controversy between parties to answer questions which were not brought before this Court would be to issue an advisory opinion — JBC of Wyoming Corp. v. City of Cheyenne, 843 P.2d 1190 (1992)

Note: Advisory opinions are issued especially by administrative agencies and by some state courts. Federal courts are constrained by the U.S. Constitution to deciding only cases or controversies and cannot issue advisory opinions.

— concurring opinion

: an opinion by a judge who agrees with the result in a case but not necessarily with the reasoning used to reach it

— dissenting opinion

: an opinion by a judge who disagrees with the result in a case

— majority opinion

: an opinion in a case that is written by one judge and in which a majority of the judges on the court join

— memorandum opinion

1 : a brief opinion of a court that announces the result of a case without extensive discussion and that is usually unpublished and cannot be cited as precedent

2 : an opinion of the U.S. Tax Court that is ordered not to be published but that is authoritative as precedent

3a : an opinion of a court that sets forth the court's views or intended decision in a case but does not constitute the judgment

b : an opinion of a court or judge setting forth the conclusions and findings and containing or constituting the actual order, judgment, or decree in the case

— per curiam opinion

: a usually very brief unanimous opinion attributed to the court as a whole and not to any particular judge

— plurality opinion

: an opinion with which a majority of the judges on the court concur in result but not in reasoning

— separate opinion

: an opinion written separately by a judge who dissents or who concurs only in the result of the majority opinion

— slip opinion

: an opinion published in temporary form soon after the decision is rendered

b : a written explanation for a decision reached by an official (as an arbitrator) presiding over the nonjudicial resolution of a dispute

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