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 Gleason’s 20-page opinion and the reasoning behind her dismissal of the complaint centered primarily on ballot secrecy. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Nov. 2026 Way back in 1995, a BBC Radio 3 reporter sent the eminent composer a few Aphex Twin tracks and asked for his opinion. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026 Some returning to Democrats While Hispanic residents in Hialeah largely lean Republican, political opinions span the spectrum across Miami-Dade’s Latino communities. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 February 19 – March 20 A difference in opinion could get louder than necessary today. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • The exhibits that Lincoln chose to organize reflected her belief that art is concerned not just with aesthetics but also with history, culture and politics, her husband said.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s support has bolstered Putin’s belief that time is on his side.
    — Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Whether Riley will actually have a say in that decision remains to be seen.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Her husband also wrote a letter to the editor of the Tribune this month pleading for a reversal of the university’s decision.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 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
  • Weeks declared a mistrial in July when the jury could not reach a verdict.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Bennathan said the jury must reach unanimous verdicts on each of the charges to convict Brand.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Standing in the cereal aisle with a cart full of hungry kids on your mind, that price gap between the name-brand box and the one right next to it hits different these days.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The high cost of healthcare is hitting Minnesotans hard, and the issue is top of mind for many voters just eight days before the midterm elections.
    — Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 27 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
  • Cornelius’s pontificate was complicated by a schism, caused by the self-appointment of the Roman priest Novatian as antipope (the second in papal history) and by the dispute over the church’s attitude toward Christian apostates.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Cory credits his family, and especially his mom, for his positive attitude toward life.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant shot to death on his way to his Bronx school recently wrote in his diary about his determination to continue his studies and find success in America.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • All of those assertions, however, rested on the critical determinations made by the scientists handling the storage chapter.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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