Definition of opinionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun opinion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of opinion are belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

When is it sensible to use belief instead of opinion?

While in some cases nearly identical to opinion, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When can conviction be used instead of opinion?

The meanings of conviction and opinion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When might persuasion be a better fit than opinion?

In some situations, the words persuasion and opinion are roughly equivalent. However, persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than opinion?

The words sentiment and opinion can be used in similar contexts, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

In what contexts can view take the place of opinion?

The words view and opinion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 opinion Social comparison is the psychological process by which people assess themselves, including their own abilities, opinions, and achievements, in relation to those of others. — Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026 Viewpoint discrimination generally involves the government restricting expression because of the particular opinion expressed. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Depending on your opinion of him (the fandom is divided), this one might not be your favorite. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026 Anyway, the best host gifts, in my opinion, are things that add a little something to the party. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • The exhibition highlights how trade routes connected the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia through the exchange of spices, pearls, textiles, jewelry, and religious beliefs.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The verdict, Wright says, shattered his belief in both the judicial system and religion.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • According to reporting by Semafor on Monday, the decision came after Wall Street executives privately raised safety concerns about attending the event with the event’s organizers, including Saudi sovereign fund PIF’s governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Someone can always point to a fringe view that’s backed up by a different source somewhere on the Internet.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
  • One of the two fake videos racked up roughly 857,000 views within 24 hours, according to an analysis by Alethea, a threat intelligence company.
    — Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Juries returned a verdict of death for Paige Lawyer, Christopher Turner and Jason Thornburg.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Brown pushed back on the idea that the survey’s lower well-being measures amount to a negative Gaston County verdict.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • These are songs that iterate and elevate minor party fouls into dramas of symphonic proportion, arrangements that articulate the heightened emotions churning inside anxious minds.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Several opinion polls show that rising costs of living are top of mind for voters ahead of the elections.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As questions piled up, investigators reached a single, clear conclusion.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • His conclusion was that the chatbot has probably never lived a life that needed cinema.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Above 5%, however, attitudes began to shift and yields suddenly starting looking like an attractive entry point, compensating even for the risk of inflation above 3%.
    — Fred Imbert,Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The underlying racial attitudes have persisted, Chapel said, contributing to present-day inequalities such as Black infant mortality.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sandy’s medical expenses were submitted to Kaiser for possible reimbursement; a determination remains pending.
    — Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The federal government will then issue its final determinations, and what happens next will be unexplored legal territory.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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