Synonym Chooser

How is the word emotion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of emotion are affection, feeling, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," 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 might affection be a better fit than emotion?

While in some cases nearly identical to emotion, affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Where would feeling be a reasonable alternative to emotion?

The meanings of feeling and emotion largely overlap; however, 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 is it sensible to use passion instead of emotion?

While the synonyms passion and emotion are close in meaning, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than emotion?

In some situations, the words sentiment and emotion are roughly equivalent. 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 emotion Though Justin and Keisha, and Katherine and Michael (Blume’s characters), are dealing with the same party-pack of teenage emotions — uncertainty, humiliation, brilliance, headassness — their experiences aren’t the same. Jazmine Hughes, Vulture, 2 May 2025 Detroit and New York traded blows throughout the fourth, with the crowd at Little Caesars Arena going through a rollercoaster of emotions. The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Her research revolves around proactivity, emotions, cognitive functioning, and well-being in the workplace. Mouna El Mansouri, Harvard Business Review, 1 May 2025 Physically active grief travel Grief inevitably brings up a swirl of thoughts and emotions. Leslie Hsu Oh, Vogue, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emotion
Noun
  • When shame or fear surfaces, instead of pushing the feeling away, taking a practical approach, writing down the specific thought that is being experienced, and challenging it with evidence is key.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Tina lost the feeling in her fingers and was rushed to the hospital by EMTs.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • There has to be urgency, there has to be force, there has to be intensity, there has to [be] concentration.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
  • The narrative, though minimal, resonates through its intensity and restraint.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The plight of one dog in particular struck a chord.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • His work with the poor, during good times and bad, strikes a chord here.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • His kitchen skills, puckish humor and enthusiasm helped earn him regular invitations to appear on TV cooking shows, including every Food Network series and a couple shows for TLC.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,104 points, or 2.6%, staying near its highs for most of the session with buying enthusiasm remaining strong.
    Brian Evans,Yun Li,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • The story is like a gentle hug, wrapping you up in a sense of comfort and contentment.
    American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • According to sources, Shell did float the idea about dropping the 10 PM hour with CBS executives but that was put to rest after he was presented with detailed arguments — and data — why programming the time slot makes financial sense for the network.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • Mixing materials and varying finishes—brushed, polished, antiqued—adds warmth and depth.
    Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The same passion toward wiping out HIV in Africa prompted governments around the world to provide billions of dollars toward the cause.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 May 2025
  • This endeavor was both passion as well as purpose for the musician, and those emotions were felt throughout the entire production.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The writing and acting is simply outstanding, with moments of genuine humor followed by gut-wrenching scenes of violence or suspense.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The flashy sequences of violence feel apt for TV (Netflix, along with Steven Spielberg’s production outfit and the Obamas’ media company, is working on a series), but the novel’s real draw is the quieter ache of a family torn apart.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emotion. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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