Definition of sentimentnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sentiment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sentiment are affection, emotion, feeling, and passion. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

In what contexts can affection take the place of sentiment?

The synonyms affection and sentiment are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How do emotion and feeling relate to one another, in the sense of sentiment?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When could feeling be used to replace sentiment?

The words feeling and sentiment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

When can passion be used instead of sentiment?

The meanings of passion and sentiment largely overlap; however, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

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 sentiment But the appearances of several key props — and, perhaps more importantly, several original puppeteers — helped lend sentiment to the night. Chris Willman, Variety, 7 May 2026 Most Americans, including me, embrace the sentiment expressed on the Statue of Liberty that our nation is a light and refuge for those who seek freedom and opportunity. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 But some church authorities and monitoring groups have lamented a recent increase in anti-Christian sentiment and harassment. Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 There were also a lot of really aggressive, disenfranchised sentiments with young white men at the time. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • There was a lot of emotion, a lot of talk.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Keep it practical instead of idealistic or overly influenced by outside opinions.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026
  • Arellano was recognized for opinion writing for his columns illuminating the fear and devastation of local immigrants during last summer’s ICE raids.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • Others are opting for restorative practices, which emphasize group conversations where students share feelings and perspectives to build community and resolve conflict.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • But the good feeling didn’t last long as the Mariners hit four home runs of their own after that.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Take time to reflect and renew your spiritual and religious beliefs.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
  • The strength of that belief has fluctuated, dipping sharply after their March defeat by City before rising again in recent weeks.
    Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • From coast to coast, her shows have sold out in record time, proof that Lucy Darling’s blend of wit, sweetness and old Hollywood glamour has struck a chord with audiences.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2026
  • Few have gotten more out of three ragged chords than Diamond did in his first Top 10 single.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Alas, Frum misread the numbers, vastly undercounting Piker’s views.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • But current students say his views and votes go against the school’s mission to improve people’s well-being and increase diversity in the medical field.
    Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The Pisces Moon sharpens intuition and helps subtle signals make sense.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
  • Slowing its introduction makes no more sense than efforts to delay electrification would’ve made in the 1880s.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Swann, in other words, takes Washburn’s side of the animal-mind argument.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • After losing the first two games of a first-place Palomar League showdown, playing poorly in the second game and losing by 12 runs, Mission Hills High School baseball coach Griffin Teisher said his team had one thing on its mind.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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