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 As of Sunday, Morin was one month into the suspension handed down by the state Supreme Court that disdained the opinion of professional discipline case referee, Judge Paul Anthony Damico. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026 Reformers can, at least, keep pressing their case in the court of public opinion—usually a pre-condition for change, if no guarantee. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Hollywood has a history of releasing films that researchers and observers have linked to changes in public opinion. — Stephen Desaulniers,julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Commentary and opinion Columnist Anita Chabria asks, is Becerra a liar or just Mexican American? — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • At the heart of that legacy is a simple belief that movies are best seen together, on a big screen.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The memoir also details Cooper’s crippling, career-stalling struggles with substance abuse during the late ‘70s and goes into depth about his subsequent re-embrace of Christianity and his current beliefs and practices.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In emergency decisions, by contrast, the president has a much stronger track record of wins.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There was angst among fans about Suamataia being held from the game, followed by blowback for questioning coach Andy Reid’s decision.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • More crucially, the anniversary brings what feels like a prophetic album back into view at a moment of unnerving relevance.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In her view, producers need to keep their IP and trade it directly.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Kang also points to the pairing of family drama with a mystery that keeps forcing audiences to rethink both the characters and their own verdicts.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In recent years, The 50 has grown to become quite the list factory, turning out influential annual verdicts on the world’s best restaurant (Maido in Lima), hotel (Rosewood Hong Kong) and vineyard (Vik in Chile’s Millahue Valley).
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But this is an album that’s apparently about the artist’s double life, and the questions that are bound to be at the forefront of any curious listener’s mind go unaddressed.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Eco effort Because Kanai is a protected area, eco efforts are top of mind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But viewers had already seen Rosalía in them minutes earlier, at the conclusion of her one appearance in a comedy sketch.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The report’s main conclusion was that two years ago, the DeSantis team diverted $10 million from a Medicaid settlement for political purposes.
    — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But coming off the back of that, there was all of this legislation that was pretty awful and generally, there were a lot of homophobic attitudes, still quite extreme, even as late as the 1990s.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Saudi Arabia has suffered fewer attacks than Gulf neighbours, its airspace has mostly stayed open, and the kingdom has projected a business-as-usual attitude.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That family history does bring with it a high level of determination to continue despite the losses and the constant threats of more attacks.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The scale of the crackdown underscored the authorities’ determination to disrupt a fast-growing protest campaign that has mobilized thousands of young people, drawn opposition support and intensified scrutiny of Modi.
    — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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