Synonyms of emotion

emotion

noun

i-ˈmō-shən 

1

as in feeling

a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation

my emotions after hearing the shocking news went from utter disbelief to overwhelming sorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• feeling
• chord
• sense
• sentiment
• passion
• attitude
• perception
• impression
• sensation
• opinion
• conviction
• mind
• belief
• perspective
• viewpoint
• sensitivity
• judgment
• responsiveness
• standpoint
• angle
• view
• verdict
• sensibility
• outlook
• notion
• persuasion
• sensitiveness
• receptivity
• receptiveness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insensitivity
• insensitiveness
• unfeelingness

2

as in intensity

depth of feeling

the emotion that the singer is able to instill in "Amazing Grace" is truly stirring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intensity
• enthusiasm
• intenseness
• warmth
• passionateness
• passion
• violence
• fervor
• heat
• excitement
• fire
• fervency
• vehemence
• tenderness
• zeal
• ardor
• compassion
• white heat
• ardency
• sentimentality
• emotionality
• sympathy
• fervidness
• responsiveness
• emotionalism
• melodrama
• sentiment
• earnestness
• histrionics
• cathexis
• mawkishness
• eagerness
• zest
• infatuation
• gusto
• obsession
• fever
• fanaticism
• sappiness
• mania
• keenness
• hot-bloodedness
• torridness
• torridity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impassivity
• insensitivity
• impassiveness
• insensibility
• composure
• insensitiveness
• calmness
• indifference
• reticence
• dryness
• aloofness
• reserve
• apathy
• phlegm
• taciturnity
• stoicism
• stoniness
• stiffness
• unconcern
• collectedness
• insensibleness
• coldness
• reservedness
• detachedness
• coolness
• chilliness
• frigidity
• woodenness
• frigidness

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

Recent Examples of emotion

This crazy situation is, at its root, going to be about money and business and not love or emotion. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Boyer is consciously writing in a tradition of Copland, Williams and Leonard Bernstein — of cinema-size emotion, of proud melodicism and earnest love of country. — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Adolescence is a period of life that’s particularly conducive to relating to horror stories, and our emotions are at their peak. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Honestly, this is definitely a journey that is a roller coaster of emotions. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026