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 Kloss echoed the sentiment, pointing to both the brand’s legacy and evolution. Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026 This new volume expands on that sentiment, serving as another urgent manifesto for our tumultuous time. Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 As cryptocurrency moves toward this challenging dynamic, investor sentiment is more likely to be influenced by positive or negative news, whether from traditional outlets, social media, or crypto communities. Matthew Kayser, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Little offered a similar sentiment during his State of the State address earlier this month. Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • Your team acts as the buffer between your emotions and the buyer’s demands.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But in the opinions of the two lead detectives on the case, to comment on every single one, to give credence publicly to even the most dubious messages, as Captain Donahoe was doing, only made the department look like a bunch of saps.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Your quirks, your opinions, your specific way of seeing the world, that's your competitive advantage.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This plot device is central to the book’s narrative, in that Benedict’s offer triggers Sophie’s feelings about not wanting to live the life her mother did as mistress to a man in upper society.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Emotionally, the feeling of love is very important.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Contrary to popular belief, reality television actually boasts some quality storytelling, offering endless entertainment to viewers who are interested in human nature, seeking escapism, or marveling at impressive displays of talent.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
  • At the heart of his coalition-building is a belief that virulent partisanship is a messaging issue more than a political one.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Melania appears to have struck a chord with older white women, who formed a core demographic of the theatergoers, according to Amazon MGM Studios data obtained by NPR.
    Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Whereas Bowen’s upbringing created a natural affinity with Proust, his work also struck a chord with contemporaries of more humble origin.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The post, which was published by an anonymous account and received 10 million views, said including this detail would be a dealbreaker and prevent an applicant from reaching the interview stage for a banking role.
    Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Newsom stepped behind a podium dropped within a stadium parking lot, with a commanding view of Los Angeles as the backdrop.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In that sense, the film answers its own question.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
  • To get a better sense of that, CBS News Bay Area spoke with Arkesha Baquet, co-owner of Li'l Dizzy's Café in New Orleans, home of Super Bowl LIX.
    Max Darrow, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The brainchild of Chris Roberts, the mind behind Wing Commander and Freelancer, Star Citizen is probably the most ambitious ongoing project in video games, having raised nearly one billion dollars in funding as of this writing.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • But for the mother-daughter pair, their minds were on Minneapolis and how federal agents have handled immigration enforcement.
    John Lauritsen, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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