feeling 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
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feeling

2 of 3

verb

present participle of feel
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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

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feeling

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adjective

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
Verb
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
Adjective
Despite feeling guilty, the Redditor reminded their friend that she had been warned. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 Bama’s stumble at FSU is feeling more and more like Ohio State’s early-season loss to Virginia Tech in 2014. Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • The Lakers got all the emotions from their star Friday night in a 49-point performance to lead a 128-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    Dan Woike, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In these conditions, the gut’s nerves and the brain’s emotion-processing circuits are in unusually close communication.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 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
  • Art curated by Rare Culture adds character, giving each suite the feel of a private gallery.
    David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
  • But Carpenter’s unblinking Duffy played it straight, seemingly oblivious to their panic and focusing instead on the pillow’s soft feel and comfort level.
    Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Following Irwin’s death, musicians like Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran, Jon Bon Jovi and Margo Price all took to social media to express their sympathies.
    Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Federline feels bad for her — but there is a limit to that sympathy, in part because of her alleged mistreatment of their sons.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the end, even kindness comes with a price tag.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Likewise, the children of the late Minnesota Speaker of the House who was gunned down last summer, Melissa Hortman, also reminded us that the only way out is to treat each other with kindness and respect—a useful message for our political leaders and fellow citizens to heed.
    Time, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The development could revolutionize precision sensing and open new avenues for quantum research.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
  • These materials’ unique properties are opening new possibilities for sensing in health, safety and environmental monitoring.
    Bohong Zhang, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Magic is the ability to make someone smile or laugh or sing a tune without even touching them.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Everything about driving the EX30 came naturally, including adjusting to its one-pedal deceleration, which brought it to a predictable stop without my touching the brake pedal.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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