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
  • The widespread belief was Clippers general manager Trent Redden would fill that role, but the team has not publicly revealed its plans.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The same poll found belief that data centers raise electricity bills jumped from 43% in January to nearly 60% by July—six months before Apollo or Morgan Stanley published a word of this research.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Kyle Ross / Imagn Images First there was Bohm doubling back — a debatable decision, certainly, with a strong center fielder and a ball hit toward one of the trickiest parts of Citizens Bank Park.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This part of Friday’s decision cited the Supreme Court’s previous ruling that limits on coordinated spending violated the First Amendment.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • These are the young players who, in my view, will be a blast to keep an eye on, root for and talk about with your friends in the seasons ahead.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • So, the app is best suited for retirees looking for detailed insights, rather than a high-level view of their finances.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 7 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
  • Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The football mind was apparent during weekly preparation and the quick processing on the field at Oregon State.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That didn’t stop more controversy from falling on the conference’s doorstep Saturday night, when one more play produced a conclusion that will likely be talked about for decades.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • That’s the conclusion the two seem to have come to, especially after the fireman Rosie has her current hopes pinned on asks her out to a fancy dinner date, only to stand her up.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The prospect of higher inflation is also weighing on Americans’ attitudes toward the economy.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Camille Miceli‘s positive attitude is a powerful calling card.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 11 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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