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 Speakers at Tuesday’s council meeting echoed the sentiment decrying the endorsement. Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025 The sentiment is sweet, but also appears to reference some tumultuous times. Glamour, 11 July 2025 Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.4 %, weighed down by selling of exporters’ shares amid the yen’s appreciation, which cuts profits from exports, and dampened sentiment because of the lack of progress in the Japan-U.S. trade talks. Alex Veiga, Fortune, 10 July 2025 The survey ranks company sentiment between zero and 1 — with a .5 reading indicating a neutral outlook balanced between pessimism and optimism. Tom Hudson, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • The second season hits Aug. 21, and a new Comic-Con trailer gave us a look at the show's humor, insanity and, yes, even some emotion – all set to a lot of catchy sleaze metal.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025
  • This process of moving around the league, having to keep stopping and starting brought about a range of emotions for Johnson, especially doubt and loneliness.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • For the experienced solo traveler: A weeklong Euro trip This is one of the most underrated solo adventures around in my opinion, but being able to navigate not just one foreign country but a few in the span of a week is definitely next level.
    DeAnna Taylor, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The Hustle reached out to some longtime independent swim school operators who hold board positions with the US Swim School Association to ask for their opinions on the influx of chains like Goldfish and others.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This sudden feeling of being transported somewhere else?
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 31 July 2025
  • And those who hide in a shell, risking nothing, may be losing what’s most beautiful about existence—those moments of utter self-abandoning joyfulness that come despite our ideas and feelings.
    Philip Metres July 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • But in 1994 the American Economic Review published an article that challenged this belief.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • This belief is rooted in a kind of technological social Darwinism, the idea that evolution can be steered, or even upgraded, by engineering.
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • The wholesome video struck a chord with TikTok users, who flooded the comments with laughter and heartfelt reactions.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • One of Riri’s journeys involves mourning the loss of her best friend, Natalie, a storyline that has struck a chord with early fans.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The four-bedroom, four-bathroom house features a spectacular view of L.A.’s cityscape.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • Don’t miss the rooftop deck — perch on the observation bench for panoramic harbor views and drifting Gray Lady fog.
    New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Such easy overlap between juror and filmmaker speaks to a wider festival goal toward building a real sense of community within the genre world.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • Other migrant families have found the same sense of stability in the city of nearly 2 million inhabitants.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • However, keep in mind that mold tests aren’t definitive.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 28 July 2025
  • Crossword puzzles offer a fantastic opportunity to engage your mind, enjoy leisure time, and test your knowledge simultaneously.
    Sally Hoelscher, USA Today, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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