Definition of opinionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun opinion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of opinion are belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment, and view. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use belief instead of opinion?

While in some cases nearly identical to opinion, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When can conviction be used instead of opinion?

The meanings of conviction and opinion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When might persuasion be a better fit than opinion?

In some situations, the words persuasion and opinion are roughly equivalent. However, persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than opinion?

The words sentiment and opinion can be used in similar contexts, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

In what contexts can view take the place of opinion?

The words view and opinion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 opinion Though Bad Bunny has always found ways to weave his opinions into his work since early in his career, there have been several galvanizing moments that led him here. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026 La Canfora has opinions just like everyone else. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026 Pacific peoples weren’t known to be strong on massive visages and the like, popular opinion suggested at the time, whereas groups like the Inca, the Olmec, and the Toltec were. Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 The Court, in its opinion, ordered McClain to pay just $50 per month. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • The long hours spent fishing were also good for meditating and reinforced his belief in the destiny marked out for him.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The latter movie musical, directed and co-written by Mona Fastvold, tells the story of the titular founder of the Shakers, who brought her religious beliefs from England to America in the 18th century.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In a decision filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court, District Attorney Fani Willis said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute Patty Durand for stealing trade secrets, which is a felony.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Trump, too, downplayed his decision to deploy border czar Tom Homan, who himself is controversial after in 2024 alleging accepting $50,000 in cash from FBI agents pretending to be business executives seeking government, to Minneapolis.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In Tomei’s view, metals such as gold and silver increasingly serve as a parking place for that capital, not because fundamentals have dramatically changed, but because liquidity needs a home.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • An aerial view of Copacabana Beach and Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the best places to travel in 2026.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The ruling against Kim was made about three weeks before the court delivers its verdict on a rebellion charge against Yoon.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
  • On the fourth day of deliberations on June 18, the jury finally reached a verdict and acquitted her of the murder charges.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The brainchild of Chris Roberts, the mind behind Wing Commander and Freelancer, Star Citizen is probably the most ambitious ongoing project in video games, having raised nearly one billion dollars in funding as of this writing.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • But for the mother-daughter pair, their minds were on Minneapolis and how federal agents have handled immigration enforcement.
    John Lauritsen, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.
    OLIVIA DIAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Shortly after the conclusion of the Uplift tour, Slovak, who had struggled with addiction, died of a heroin overdose on June 25, 1988.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In terms of public attitudes to these vehicles in Europe, the picture is murky.
    Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • For four decades, Megadeth have been high priests—not the highest, but close—in a church of metal where technical prowess, breakneck tempos, and sneering attitude are the holiest of virtues.
    Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Her remarks appear to be a preview of the board's ultimate determination regarding the 2025 crash.
    Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The gifts skiing has given me—not just the joy, but the appreciation for wilderness, the determination and grit and feeling of accomplishment, the ability to talk to random strangers on chairlifts—as a parent, these are as important to instill in her as curiosity and kindness.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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