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 For El-Amin, now 75, the moment was important to his family and resonated with a common sentiment in Islam: a person who dies leaves nothing behind except for their good deeds, knowledge and loved ones who pray for them. Sam Gillette, People.com, 27 May 2025 Though the United States isn’t in a recession right now, economic optimism is at a near-record low, according to University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index this month. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 However, sentiment turned positive on Tuesday amid hopes of a breakthrough. Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 May 2025 And more industry leaders are now echoing the sentiment that the path to lasting impact isn't scale but specificity. Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
Noun
  • His evolution required alterations to his left-handed swing, learning how to channel his emotions, and even a few wake-up calls.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Everything gets harder when your emotions run wild and your judgment clouds.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • While feelings of self-doubt might arise, don’t let others’ opinions deter you from pursuing your goals.
    Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • While the advice from Google is certainly not to be ignored by users, in my never humble opinion, Walsh does not agree.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • The feeling among economists is that tariffs and inflation go together.
    John Navin, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • With a state-of-the-art new factory and a Honda works engine supply arriving from 2026, the feeling has long been that Aston’s foundations are coming together.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • But that week, belief felt like the scarcest resource of all.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • With antisemitic beliefs already at their highest levels in decades, and with Jewish communities around the world facing a tsunami of antisemitic harassment and vandalism, especially post-Oct. 7, his comments about Jews and praise for Hitler are reaching a younger, more susceptible audience.
    Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Though Bellini had clearly already arrived at the veterinary clinic, his last-ditch effort to escape the appointment struck a chord online.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
  • The film struck a chord in France and won an impressive six prizes at the Cesar Awards, including best film, director and adapted screenplay for Moll and Gilles Marchand, as well as promising actor for Bastien Bouillon.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Seagulls cruise over fishing boats, and there are delicious water front views of distant mainland mountains.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Scenic hiking trails weave through quiet valleys, offering breathtaking views of wildlife in their natural habitat.
    Carlsen Jes, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • June's sometime lover Nick (Max Minghella) was among the casualties, a man who could never commit to any side of the cause finally fell victim to his own sense of survivalism.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2025
  • The Personal Brand Is the Leadership Brand Demis Hassabis — cofounder and CEO of Google DeepMind — isn’t a personal brand in the conventional sense.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • The thought of sitting out spring practices never crossed star running back Kyren Williams’ mind, despite an ongoing contract negotiation between his representatives and the Los Angeles Rams.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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