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 While opinions on their effectiveness are mixed, experts stress there are no guarantees in the open ocean. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 Commentary and opinions Tim Walz isn’t the only governor plagued by fraud. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 In Marsteiner’s professional opinion, most Mount Baldy incidents aren’t necessarily recklessness, but come down in large part to decision-making. Outside, 8 Jan. 2026 The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Josh Roberts, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • The long hours spent fishing were also good for meditating and reinforced his belief in the destiny marked out for him.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The latter movie musical, directed and co-written by Mona Fastvold, tells the story of the titular founder of the Shakers, who brought her religious beliefs from England to America in the 18th century.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The prose looks polished, charts look clean, and a single percentage point buried in the model quietly pushes the decision in a different direction.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • His reckless decision to escalate the aggression and number of immigration agents is a causal factor, regardless of the outcome of an investigation into this tragic death.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The videos, posted to X on Sunday afternoon, quickly drew thousands of views and appear to show Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino ordering a crowd to move back as federal agents attempted to remove a man from a vehicle parked at the gas station.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As outrage over the verdict catalyzed activist campaigns into criminalizing spousal rape in every state (only achieved, with many loopholes, in 1993) the town of Salem, Oregon just wanted to move on.
    Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In October 2025, a Florida appeals court overturned that verdict.
    Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Like, rot-your-mind, hindbrain stimulation, violence/gore/goofy villains-type fun.
    Lily Osler, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • However, the threat to personal safety while attending college can linger in the back of a student’s mind, potentially stoking fear among those who are just trying to earn their education.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • With Donna’s Banishment seeming almost a forgone conclusion, Cumming summoned the players back to a special morning edition of the Roundtable to just get the inevitable out of the way.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Ball certainly didn’t have any issue getting into the action, posting a team-best 11 first-quarter points on the strength of making his first three attempts and banking in a running 3-pointer off the glass at the buzzer, signaling the conclusion of the game’s initial 12 minutes.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • For those keen to find pieces that possess similar attitude and individuality, the fall collections have plenty of to offer.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 9 Nov. 2025
  • That no-nonsense attitude seems to come naturally for Debi Mazar, who has made a name for herself as a character actress going back decades.
    Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Like her unprecedented sapphire engagement ring, her wedding tiara represented a determination to stay true to herself.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Here in California, our determination to defend our own laws, to hold fast to climate protections and civil rights, felt no longer like partisanship but survival.
    Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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