feeling 1 of 3

Definition of feelingnext
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as in passions
feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in feel
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus that odd feeling of forward movement you get when the parked car next to you backs out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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feeling

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adjective

feeling

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verb

present participle of feel
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as in experiencing
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word feeling distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of feeling are affection, emotion, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," 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 affection be used instead of feeling?

The words affection and feeling can be used in similar contexts, 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?

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 passion be used to replace feeling?

The words passion and feeling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When might sentiment be a better fit than feeling?

The meanings of sentiment and feeling largely overlap; however, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 feeling
Noun
High-protein foods like skyr can also support satiety and feelings of fullness. Merve Ceylan, Health, 15 May 2026 The feeling is organic and involving, just as the sound of the voices is intimate and enveloping. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Verb
Just from a personal standpoint, that was also joyful for me, living in this other environment and getting steeped into it and feeling it out. William Earl, Variety, 17 May 2026 The flavors are balanced even though the pistachio profile is front and center, and the addition of coconut and pistachios both in the cake and sprinkled on top keep it from feeling one-note. Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • Some instances of the passionate emotion veer into more bloody endeavors with thrillers like Obsession and Lurker.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • And they’re also used as form of therapy for visitors to release complex emotions.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Fabric has always been one of my biggest passions in my career.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
  • But when John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • She surely was also exposed to Madame Charlotte Mentelle’s feminist beliefs and abolitionist leanings.
    Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • But the Dodgers front office didn’t entertain the notion of bumping him, instead doubling down on their belief that the best thing for Sasaki’s long-term development was continuing to face big-league hitters.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • For all its history and tradition, the Preakness was expected to have a different feel this year.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 May 2026
  • The nightlife and dining service staff gave off a familial feel—like a big Jersey family.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The series takes its time getting to the main event, building tension and sympathy for its characters before plunging them into ruin.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
  • Williamson’s guilty pleas drew a measured response from Newsom, who at a news conference for his May revision of the state’s budget expressed sympathy for her four children.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Understand that kindness and consideration can go a long way in these types of negotiation situations.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
  • Regardless of travel purpose or appearance, kindness and patience matter most in how passengers are treated.
    Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • As such, a loving relationship will demand awareness that, sometimes, not every truth needs to be delivered in its rawest form.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
  • From a young age, we're taught to greet people, regardless of their age, and even compliment them, so everyone is very accepting and loving.
    Zama Magudulela, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Native color sensing changes how machines perceive their surroundings by combining geometric structure with visual context.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
  • Last week, likely sensing which way the legal wind is blowing, Paramount Skydance’s chief legal officer Makan Delrahim wrote to Bonta to preemptively plead the company’s case.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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