SENTIMENT Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sentiment

noun

ˈsen-tə-mənt

Definition of sentiment next

as in emotion

a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation a sentiment of happiness and goodwill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opinion

an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge antiwar sentiments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fact
truth

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 Biden and Trump largely supported Israel’s monthslong retaliation campaign against Hamas, and both, to a degree, seemed to respond to pro-Palestinian sentiment during the latter half of last year and increased calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the fighting in Gaza quickly. —

Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025 That sentiment is echoed by others, who say those nights out helped their teams bond. —

Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 Anti-development sentiment has been an especially limiting factor in Malibu, where Pestrella said the city has at times used insufficient water access as an excuse to restrict new construction. —

Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The insurance segment has been at the heart of that sentiment. —

Rita Numerof, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sentiment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment

Noun

This is the kind of decision franchises dread—where emotion, logic, and reality collide in uncomfortable ways.

— Brian Sampson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
In animals, sentience is the capacity to experience sensations and emotions such as pain, pleasure and fear.

— Conor Purcell, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2025