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 That's translated directly into financial risk, with Anthropic poised to list negative public opinion towards AI and data centers as a risk factor in its forthcoming IPO prospectus. Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026 Last July, the New York Times opinion columnist David French published an essay on the subject that expanded on an interview with the psychologist and bed-making enthusiast Jordan Peterson. T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026 Give yourself a little time away from noise, messages, and other people’s opinions. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026 Social listening surfaces the opinions customers share with everyone except you. Hamid Farooqui, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • De facto general manager Duke Tobin defended his belief in them after the draft.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Glover credits his professional successes to this system, and his experiences over a decade at NASA have reinforced his belief in that kind of educational approach.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Rådström, a Swede, was surprised by the layers of hierarchy at the German company and the sheer volume of decisions that crossed her desk as CEO.
    Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The session ended with the decision on de Moraes postponed possibly until mid-December.
    MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • According to a source, the Heat moved forward with the extension because the front office and coaching staff view Larsson as a big part of the team’s future.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Large doors and garden views make the room feel like a hinge between the house and grounds.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The public appears to know what’s going on While economists spent two years building models, most Americans seem to have reached a verdict already—not about AI in the abstract, but about the class system at work in the economy.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Commonwealth Attorney Tracy Martin spoke to the media after the verdict.
    Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This is classic game theory that calls to mind the chilling 1950s debates over second strikes and counterforce.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Detailed in the script, Carrie crushes the spewing water pipes with her mind, but the folks manning the on-and-off switches aren’t yet in sync.
    Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The banquet room of an Elgin restaurant resonated with those words at the conclusion of a rousing tune featuring four-part barbershop harmony.
    Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Two people can examine the same evidence and reach different conclusions.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But Gay’s starting job also came via his attitude adjustment.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Janson Junk, Tyler Phillips and Ryan Gusto generally have had good attitudes about getting early hooks, though Phillips reacted angrily after being lifted with a lead in the fourth inning against the Dodgers last weekend.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Her passion, determination and single-minded focus had completed the deal.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The allegations build on an April 2025 US determination that Sudan’s government used chemical weapons in 2024, though officials provided little public evidence at the time.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 6 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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