viewpoint

noun

view·​point ˈvyü-ˌpȯint How to pronounce viewpoint (audio)
plural viewpoints
: a position or perspective from which something is considered or evaluated : point of view, standpoint
The novel is told from two major viewpoints and a number of minor ones …Marge Piercy
As with politics, he'd eventually come around to the opposite viewpoint from the one he'd previously advocated and express it just as stridently.Irvine Welsh
He began to look at the matter from Claire's viewpoint, and his pity switched from himself to her.P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of viewpoint in a Sentence

The story is told from the viewpoint of someone who grew up during the Great Depression. Her viewpoint is that of a person who has been in politics for decades.
Recent Examples on the Web For example, there may be concerns about how (or if) to talk about current events or topics that may be delicate turf to tread where there may be a big divide in viewpoints. Jess Cording, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 While television broadcasts the official viewpoint, Gao says that on Douyin there are often videos from different camps putting their views across. Lavender Au, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023 This is a free event and can be seen from various viewpoints around the bay. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023 Bishop Strickland, now a martyr to frustrated traditionalists, has an unusually powerful platform from which to voice that viewpoint. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023 But so does the nonsense at off-campus institutions that claim to support the civil deliberation of ideas but mostly provide safe spaces for progressives who have no interest in engaging viewpoints that dissent from their own. Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2023 As Gu pointed out, there are many different viewpoints about whether people should limit consumption of red meat. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 21 Oct. 2023 Her spirit, personal achievements and incredible performances will be seen through a modern viewpoint while adding archival footage, stage and TV performances, personal footage, and TV interviews, the release adds. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 Recommended Prosperity Why one grandmother’s house has become a national cause The draft represents the range of viewpoints shared at the first two meetings. Jennifer McDermott and Carlos Mureithi, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'viewpoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of viewpoint was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near viewpoint

Cite this Entry

“Viewpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viewpoint. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

viewpoint

noun
view·​point -ˌpȯint How to pronounce viewpoint (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on viewpoint

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