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 Advertisement Ugly sentiments deserve ugly art, though Jude takes a nuanced stance on this matter. Andy Crump, Time, 31 Oct. 2025 Khelif is cisgender, but the boxer found herself in the midst of a familiar firestorm that many cis athletes have endured as anti-trans, gender-policing sentiments have grown globally. Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025 Strong expectations for earnings from key players such as Samsung and SK Hynix have lifted investor sentiment, fueled further by projections of a supercycle driven by global supply shortages in memory chips. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025 Nip that sentiment in the bud by taking them out the following August for a few days of hauling fertilizer, picking rocks, wrestling farm implements, and driving tractors over unseen wasp nests. The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • The Mercury retrograde that backstrokes in Pisces from February 26 to March 20 makes our emotions extremely tender.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
  • During her interview with host Jimmy Fallon, Lawrence was jokingly overcome with emotion and broke into dramatic sobs multiple times.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Many of those viewers have strong opinions and allegiances and are deranged.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Durant’s difference in opinion wasn’t surprising to Green, knowing that their basketball philosophies aren’t always aligned.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • There is an organic, honest feeling to Paulsen’s training.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The loss was an unfamiliar feeling for the Dodgers, who had only dropped one game this entire postseason entering Friday.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some religious leaders have said the fact that Kirk's political agenda was driven by his Biblical beliefs meant he was killed for his faith and amounted to an attack on Christianity.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Emphasizing research and measurable outcomes, their philanthropy also reflects a broader belief that wealth should be used in real time—not preserved for future generations.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Englund thinks the character struck a chord because Freddy was the symbol for a loss of innocence.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Based on the book by Zhang Xiaomao, and directed by Lui Zhangmu, Mobius has struck a chord with audiences and Youhug is looking to capitalize by finding new markets for their sci-fi gem.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Now the wetlands, woods, wildflower meadows and river views, which are managed and protected by River Fields conservancy, are open for the public to enjoy from dawn to dusk.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Madrid view was clear in captain Dani Carvajal’s Instagram post on Tuesday.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Filler shots of chauffeurs, champagne and colossal walk-in closets with pristine designer clobber glistening and gleaming from glass shelves centred around trays and trays of priceless jewels assault the viewer’s senses between almost every scene.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • For all the fans’ cries for the team to go all in, there’s still the matter of dollars and sense.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Familial pairs choose the experimental merge for a variety of reasons, including a mother with Alzheimer’s linking her mind with her daughter; teenage brothers, one terminally ill; a man and his pregnant fiancée; a father and his addict daughter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • In Hoyer’s mind, the Tokyo Series represented the culmination of the organization’s long-running efforts to establish connections in Nippon Professional Baseball, highlight the Cubs as a brand overseas and turn Chicago into a destination for Japanese players.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 8 Nov. 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!