feeling 1 of 3

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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

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feeling

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adjective

feeling

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verb

present participle of feel
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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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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
Noun
Tina lost the feeling in her fingers and was rushed to the hospital by EMTs. Marina Watts, People.com, 19 May 2025 But when Thomas Gallier hires her to headline his new entertainment empire, the two can’t ignore the feelings that spark (in spite of interference from newspaper mogul, Nehemiah Alban). Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 May 2025 There was just a general excitement and a feeling for the project. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 Years later, watching Lovie Simone as Keisha in Netflix’s Forever has conjured a similar feeling. Krysta Hawkins, Vogue, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • Scent is one of the most powerful ways to immortalize a moment in time, many thanks to the olfactory system’s direct line to the amygdala and hippocampus (the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory).
    Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
  • These differences included areas responsible for executive functions like logical reasoning, as well as managing emotions.
    Alice Park, Time, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Your professional passions will soar or fizzle out when Venus retrograde meets the sun.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Events like these enhance the school experience and provide opportunities for students to learn from one another by showcasing their talents and passions, the news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • However, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have great belief in Bradley, who joined Liverpool from Dungannon Swifts in 2019.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • More than 200 people have died in Lake Lanier since 1994, fueling long-standing local beliefs that the reservoir may be haunted.
    Jenna deJong, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • As thousands of families poured into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the University of Southern California’s main-stage commencement on Thursday night, the scene had the feel of the usual collegiate event held there: a football game.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • The square back is timeless, and the oversized, curved, and rolled arms give it a delicate feel that balances out the sharper lines of the back.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Viewers flooded the comments with words of encouragement and concern, expressing sympathy for his state of mind and urging him to take care of his mental health.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 May 2025
  • Other footwear stocks rose in sympathy following the announcement.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Researchers explored how prosocial behavior, acts of genuine kindness and concern for others influences perceptions of physical attractiveness.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • But Mike throws the man’s kindness back in his face by knocking him out and lifting his watch and wallet.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Soto should, of course, get a loving reception from the Bleacher Creatures on Friday night, no?
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Tina Knowles remembers growing up in a loving and raucous family of nine.
    Sara Sidner, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The microwaved grape trick also shows their promise as alternative microwave resonators for quantum sensing applications, according to the authors of this latest paper.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Feline eyes also contain the same color-sensing cones as humans, but this doesn't mean our visions are the same, VCA Animal Hospitals reports.
    Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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