Synonym Chooser

How is the word sentiment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sentiment are affection, emotion, feeling, and passion. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

In what contexts can affection take the place of sentiment?

The synonyms affection and sentiment are sometimes interchangeable, 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, in the sense of sentiment?

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 feeling be used to replace sentiment?

The words feeling and sentiment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 passion be used instead of sentiment?

The meanings of passion and sentiment largely overlap; however, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

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 sentiment Anti-nuclear sentiment spiked in the wake of a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, which triggered some radioactive releases and the evacuation of thousands of people. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025 The shift in Trump's first presidency had such far-reaching effects on Sino-American sentiment in both capitals that former President Joe Biden found the chill of the new Cold War hard to reverse. Micah McCartney Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025 The Beyond the Lights actor commented under the post, sharing his sentiments on the future playdates their children will have. Kayla Grant, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025 On Monday, the team’s secondary coach offered similar sentiments about a unit that has one former Pro Bowler (Minkah Fitzpatrick) but a lot of question marks otherwise. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • The genre-bending rapper, who has long been revered for blending vulnerability and raw emotion into his music, is now offering an unflinching account of the mental health battles and drug addiction that nearly cost him his life—even at the height of his fame.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Find the quotes that capture raw emotion, then talk your offer through in simple language.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Testers then tasted each of the sandwiches by themselves to form their opinion on the taste.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
  • In my opinion, there are seven managers in the sport better than Boone.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Parsons has made his feelings abundantly clear, requesting a trade last week.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The men remain friends, a bond tightened by their both being widowed, and their warm rapport is of a piece with a prevalent feeling of good cheer.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Some other notable attacks at US military bases in recent years include: On November 5, 2009, an Army psychiatrist with radical Islamist beliefs opened fire at a processing center at Fort Hood, a major US Army post, in Texas, killing 13 people and an unborn child, and wounding more than 30 others.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Each statement should challenge a common belief in [your industry/niche] while being defensible with evidence.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The former Calle 13 member impresses her sensitivity to this piece, originally written by Orlando Brito and popularized in 1975 by the great Héctor Lavoe, giving it new life with her powerful, dramatic voice, accompanied by street guitars and harsh, aggressive chords that captivate the listener.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The movement clearly strikes a chord with young men where the mainstream loses them.
    Preeti Kulkarni, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Still, the House and Senate’s market structure proposals are different from the get-go; on top of that, varying corners of the industry have competing views on the details, and multiple committees claim jurisdiction over the fight.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The second floor, geared for adults, presented early drafts of Seuss books and ephemera, but no unpacking of his political views.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In the most generous sense, that is what Palantir’s data analytics tools do: Allow users — mostly military and government agencies, but also private-sector companies — to better visualize large datasets.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In that sense, how did your creative approach change going into this record versus records of the past?
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Has the thought of chasing Gunther’s historic 666-day reign crossed your mind?
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Keep in mind, as Venus moves through Leo — and your second house of values, stability and money-making abilities — the self-esteem boost continues.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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