feeling 1 of 3

1
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as in passions
feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in feel
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus that odd feeling of forward movement you get when the parked car next to you backs out

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
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feeling

2 of 3

verb

present participle of feel
1
2
3
as in experiencing
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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feeling

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word feeling distinct from other similar nouns?

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

The words affection and feeling can be used in similar contexts, 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?

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 passion be used to replace feeling?

The words passion and feeling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When might sentiment be a better fit than feeling?

The meanings of sentiment and feeling largely overlap; 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 feeling
Verb
There’s also a deeply romantic feeling to its interiors, exemplified by the lobby’s antique furnishings and tall windows that draw in light. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Sep. 2025 The other will-they-won’t-they duo, Ned and Mare, finally decide to explore their obvious feelings for each other in the final episode. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The satire, sci-fi, and body horror movie follows a Chinese-American teenager (Shirley Chen), who, feeling insecure about her race, takes a drastic step that causes a chain reaction throughout her own and her family’s lives. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025 Those mandates hit women – who frequently shoulder a disproportionate share of the responsibility for kids and chores –particularly hard, especially at a time when parents are feeling pressured to commit more hours to their children. Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • There is nothing left now but rhythm and exhaustion and raw emotion and stardust bursting out of you.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The show’s palette trends toward bottle-green woods, gauzy golden light, dusky midnight-blue nighttime scenes, and grimly gray interiors, and within those tableaus, Task’s male characters are gorgeously aggrieved, emotion pouring off of them like coffee from a Wawa urn.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Writing and tennis became my two passions.
    Thomas Swick September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The effect is that of passions diverted, of dark energies coalescing into something resembling a community.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Contrary to her husband’s belief, she is not chased by paparazzi.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The vast majority of citizens no longer trust that hard work pays off and belief in the American dream has hit a record low.
    John Hope Bryant, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This multi-tasking innovation, which is boosted with five skincare ingredients, won over testers with its lightweight and luxurious feel.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The company plans to hire local operators to run the space, which will hopefully give the brewery more of a neighborhood feel.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Newsrooms — like many other companies, amid a tight labor market and booming economy — responded with intense sympathy for junior employees who felt mistreated by managers and bullied by untouchable stars.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And then Zhao gives you a moment of communal outpouring, as the play’s audience responds to a violent climax with sympathy and love.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her kindness extended to her coworkers at Walmart.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The pair are remembered by the company for their kindness, generosity and support for local organizations such as the Ehloe Hospital, the Chico Police Business Support Team and Chico’s Elk Lodge.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ballhalla erupted, sensing the start of a comeback.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Jihan peers closer at these images, now sensing in some of them that her father seems preoccupied, as if already aware of the tragic fate that would befall him.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rafael Nadal was famous for pulling at his shorts, tucking his hair behind his ears, and touching his nose, for example, while Serena Williams was known to bounce her ball a specific number of times (five on the first serve, and two on the second).
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
  • And also as an only child that's touching to see them together.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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