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 For El-Amin, now 75, the moment was important to his family and resonated with a common sentiment in Islam: a person who dies leaves nothing behind except for their good deeds, knowledge and loved ones who pray for them. Sam Gillette, People.com, 27 May 2025 Though the United States isn’t in a recession right now, economic optimism is at a near-record low, according to University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index this month. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 However, sentiment turned positive on Tuesday amid hopes of a breakthrough. Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 May 2025 And more industry leaders are now echoing the sentiment that the path to lasting impact isn't scale but specificity. Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • His evolution required alterations to his left-handed swing, learning how to channel his emotions, and even a few wake-up calls.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Everything gets harder when your emotions run wild and your judgment clouds.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • While feelings of self-doubt might arise, don’t let others’ opinions deter you from pursuing your goals.
    Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • While the advice from Google is certainly not to be ignored by users, in my never humble opinion, Walsh does not agree.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • With a state-of-the-art new factory and a Honda works engine supply arriving from 2026, the feeling has long been that Aston’s foundations are coming together.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • The feeling among economists is that tariffs and inflation go together.
    John Navin, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • With antisemitic beliefs already at their highest levels in decades, and with Jewish communities around the world facing a tsunami of antisemitic harassment and vandalism, especially post-Oct. 7, his comments about Jews and praise for Hitler are reaching a younger, more susceptible audience.
    Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • But that week, belief felt like the scarcest resource of all.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • From the start, Smoke struck a chord with Egerton, who also serves as an executive producer.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 4 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, singer Melanie Martinez’s fragrance brand, Portals Parfums, has also struck a chord with the cohort, with more than 11 percent of the brand’s 230,000-plus social followers being within the ages of 13 to 17.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The poll found that only 20% of U.K. adults had a favorable view of Markle, while 65% of respondents had a negative view of the duchess.
    Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
  • Seagulls cruise over fishing boats, and there are delicious water front views of distant mainland mountains.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • June's sometime lover Nick (Max Minghella) was among the casualties, a man who could never commit to any side of the cause finally fell victim to his own sense of survivalism.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2025
  • Amazon | Steam | Official Website At this point, Elden Ring is well-known for its epic sense of scale, offering players dozens of hours of meticulous exploration, gradual character progression, and unforgiving enemy encounters that require deliberate care and strategy.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
  • The best way to overcome a year of disappointment is, of course, to challenge again, which is precisely the thought on Arteta’s mind.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sentiment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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