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 The president has surely been pleased that a friendly new Post opinion page has written columns so regularly praising his foreign policy acumen, and supporters of Ukraine may also be grateful. Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 May 2026 In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 May 2026 Each chance at a Stanley Cup is no less or more than the next one, in my opinion, after being through it on both sides of the aisle on that one. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 May 2026 What else, in your opinion, needs to be done? Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • This was coincidence beyond belief.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • If Banchero believes in Mosley, that belief will carry influence.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • While Saudi Arabia and OPEC had no immediate reaction, Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei insisted his country’s decision did not stem from any dispute with its Gulf neighbor.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This is basically every aerophobic flier’s worst nightmare, and Harlin does a solid job of maintaining the fear factor and shock right up to the moment of Rich’s decision to dump fuel and ditch, since the nearest airport, Guam, is out of range.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Alas, Frum misread the numbers, vastly undercounting Piker’s views.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • But current students say his views and votes go against the school’s mission to improve people’s well-being and increase diversity in the medical field.
    Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Spatola and his legal team declined to comment immediately after the verdict.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
  • Meade County officials said the verdict is under review.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Swann, in other words, takes Washburn’s side of the animal-mind argument.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • After losing the first two games of a first-place Palomar League showdown, playing poorly in the second game and losing by 12 runs, Mission Hills High School baseball coach Griffin Teisher said his team had one thing on its mind.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The chatbots then walked back some of their original conclusions, with Claude specifically noting that its original planning horizon was too short.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • Officials have said the descriptions reflect observations made at the time and do not include conclusions about the nature of the phenomena.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Wintour then praised her co-chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos, citing her energy and positive attitude.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • The reality is that, nowadays, a can-do attitude and unrelenting work ethic aren’t enough to live comfortably, much less to achieve the same American dream our parents did.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • But part of the reason is that even with our most precise and accurate measurements that lead to a determination of the gravitational constant, those various teams and methods haven’t converged on a single answer.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026
  • Dean was born in a small town in South Dakota, educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and through grit and determination built a small garbage business into Waste Management — a global company serving multiple continents with over $9 billion in revenue by his retirement.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

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