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 Greene’s comments come at a time when there has also been growing anti-establishment sentiment among progressive voices in the Democratic Party, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026 In recent months, that sentiment was on full display as the US entered into a conflict with Iran. Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 The energy price spike ushered in by the Iran war left many Americans off guard as inflation remains persistent and higher costs ding consumer sentiment. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 The opposition in Kazakhstan is not represented in government structures and has been unable to significantly influence public sentiment. ABC News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • The spiritual economy is not necessarily about outright faith, but rather ritual, emotion and a sense of agency.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • The initial impulse is likely valid, but make sure your emotions are also in check.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • This does not affect our reviews as our opinions remain our own.
    Joe Salas July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Clean Reserve’s Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum leans a little more literal, pairing crisp citrus and aldehydes with floral cotton notes and musk to capture that just-out-of-the-dryer feeling.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 11 July 2026
  • And quietly, improbably, the film generates a feeling that its subject could have been anyone—or maybe no one.
    Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • That belief gives the practice its foundation, though the daily expression shows up in more practical ways.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • The belief that life goes on, even if you’re battered and broken.
    Marissa Stapley, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • As a result, the harmonies and chords are in a state of perpetual change, moving together more like clouds of starlings or minnows than a single frog hopping from stone to stone.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The heartfelt exchange has struck a chord online, but for the Peterson family, the most meaningful part happened after the applause faded.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Once Spieth took the unplayable, the hill blocked any view of what was actually going on.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The skyline matters, but unlike too many rooftop spots in Manhattan, the kitchen here actually keeps pace with the view.
    Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Through Latin and early Christian usage, the word took on its modern sense of an evil supernatural spirit.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The spiritual economy is not necessarily about outright faith, but rather ritual, emotion and a sense of agency.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Top of mind was the April 19 killing of 19 people in Negros Occidental, a province in the central Philippines.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • The semiotics of the badge signal a sort of hive-mind curation, a global book group that has determined that this book, of all the millions of books, is worthy of promotion.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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