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 Even coworkers who rarely spoke suddenly had opinions about formations and red card decisions. Maria Santana, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Commentary and opinions In his latest column, Gustavo Arellano writes about how this World Cup finally taught him to love soccer. Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Kirby is also not a coach that is getting fired within the next decade, so his opinion actually means something to the school president and athletic director. Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 But in my opinion, the change is going to come when a 17- or 18-year-old understands or sees that movement, embraces it, and brings it to the forefront. Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe Turbay shattered the belief that the country had largely left behind the era when presidential candidates routinely became targets of political violence.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • As the league emerges from this summer of soccer, however, there is a strong belief that missing the immediate moment shouldn’t mean missing the bigger picture.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The conspiracies of the Heat mistakenly leaking James’ decision to return to Miami also picked up steam, and the Heat simultaneously skyrocketed on the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction market platforms as James’ next team.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, managed most of the company’s financial decisions.
    Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Gallup each year polls Americans about their views on the Supreme Court in July, after the end of the court's term, and in September, weeks before the court resumes hearing cases in October.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 July 2026
  • This special charge balances with the sleekness of its waterside view and location—all that makes for a one-of-a-kind Brooklyn base.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Noun
  • After both defense and state counsel had agreed this morning that the defendant should be convicted, the jury returned a verdict in less than 10 minutes.
    Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
  • Thus, Californians and Washingtonians may not just be deciding their own tax fates, and these outcomes could be casting an early verdict that has nationwide tax implications.
    Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The target date for Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation plan is etched in the minds of every citizen and visitor to the country since Vision 2030 was unveiled more than a decade ago.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
  • Justin Halpern, the comic mind behind ‘S— My Dad Says,’ ‘Harley Quinn’ and ‘Abbott Elementary,’ turns to fiction writing with ‘Get Lost,’ a baseball novel about talent, failure and family.
    Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • Cancy McArn, the district’s superintendent, sent a rebuttal letter Thursday to Gordon rejecting the county office’s conclusion that the new teachers’ union agreement would not provide enough financial relief to help the district avoid insolvency.
    Chaewon Chung Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Those businesses may still be worth more together, but that conclusion can no longer be taken for granted.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The early Olympic movement reinforced those same attitudes by barring women from major track and field events altogether.
    Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Agazero’s new take on the genre retains a similarly ambivalent attitude toward the dancefloor.
    Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Passion, determination and dedication to the club and his cause are non-negotiables.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Social Security serves more than 300 million Americans through benefit payments, retirement records, disability determinations, replacement cards and hundreds of millions of annual transactions.
    Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on opinion

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster