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 The entertainment industry, filled with those on the extreme far left of the political spectrum, has now become a hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Today, companies can go far beyond reading comments from customers in response to surveys, or transcribing call center interactions, to analyze not just the words but the elusive sentiment and intent behind those words. Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The concern that the provision could have consequences that go beyond just a decision about expanding I-77 between uptown and the state line is a sentiment shared by others. Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026 Hascoe’s new venture, Quorum, aims to map narratives around companies, including retail sentiment. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • An advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down — often bringing a flood of new terms, decisions and emotions all at once.
    Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Sep. 2026
  • During a previous appearance on the Off the Vine podcast, Thurston revealed her complex emotions about not being able to carry a child after her breast cancer diagnosis.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There has been a widespread opinion that football has become too rigid and regimented in recent seasons, but Luis Enrique’s PSG are one of the few antidotes to that.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • No one, in my opinion, comes close to this selfish, foul-mouthed and stupid showman.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Director Margaret Shigeko Starbuck leans into makeshift theatricality — flashlights, pool noodles, pocket umbrellas — while a nimble ensemble balances meta-theatrical humor with genuine feeling for Pericles and his beleaguered family.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Their failure to receive one may be attributed to their having vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of malaise, weakness, or fluctuating muscle pain.
    Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The widespread belief was Clippers general manager Trent Redden would fill that role, but the team has not publicly revealed its plans.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The same poll found belief that data centers raise electricity bills jumped from 43% in January to nearly 60% by July—six months before Apollo or Morgan Stanley published a word of this research.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Eventually, Musk began comparing himself to a real-life Tony Stark — part playboy with the power-chord intros, part savant innovator, part superhero.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Just like smelling a particular fragrance can bring back a memory faster than any other sense, a Taylor Swift song strikes an immediate, familiar chord.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • These are the young players who, in my view, will be a blast to keep an eye on, root for and talk about with your friends in the seasons ahead.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • So, the app is best suited for retirees looking for detailed insights, rather than a high-level view of their finances.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Bieber and Gausman are the two names on this list that make the most sense to bring back.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The football mind was apparent during weekly preparation and the quick processing on the field at Oregon State.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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