feeling 1 of 3

1
2
as in passions
feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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4
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

5
6

feeling

2 of 3

adjective

feeling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of feel
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2
3
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
Meanwhile, resurfaced feelings cause new problems for Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) as Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) faces another hurdle in her pregnancy during the midseason premiere of 'Grey's Anatomy' Comments Warning: this post contains spoilers from the March 6 episode of Grey's Anatomy. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 Bong proves to be precise as ever, though, which keeps the movie feeling distinct from his others. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 Viewers laugh and sink into the feeling of whimsical, medium-to-high-stakes romance. Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025 In the delivery room, that feeling of euphoria shattered moments after the baby boy was born. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • In the middle of the scene, I was completely overtaken by my emotion.
    Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The characters are non-verbal, but their dialog is accompanied with just the right amount of emotion from gasps, grumbles, and giggles to set the mood.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The phrase embodies a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, employee well-being, and the freedom to pursue personal passions alongside professional responsibilities.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The story instead deals with running the shop, meeting interesting customers and learning about their passions and plights.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The motion is not based on a belief of whether Adams is innocent or guilty.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • There is also a strong belief that Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback Shedeur Sanders will fall to the Raiders at No. 6 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • From bulbous shoes with upturned vamps to pleated pants puffed away from the body, the collection’s doll-like garments took on a larger-than-life feel.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • All these sensory details are Volvo's expertise, giving its vehicles a premium feel.
    Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Much like filmmaking, which is perhaps why the movie finds sympathy in a tale of concession and economic exploitation.
    Matt Shaw, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Trump certainly lacks admiration for the liberal order’s achievements and sympathy for its basic ethos.
    HAL BRANDS, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Clarity can be another form of kindness, establishing boundaries that benefit everyone.
    Leisse Wilcox, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Redditors Share Their Own Heartwarming Delivery Stories Dwight's post struck a chord with many Reddit users, who shared their own experiences of kindness during deliveries.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
  • For my entire life, the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome has been Morris Chestnut, an actor who looks as if he was sculpted from marble by the hands of a loving and generous god.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The microwaved grape trick also shows their promise as alternative microwave resonators for quantum sensing applications, according to the authors of this latest paper.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Feline eyes also contain the same color-sensing cones as humans, but this doesn't mean our visions are the same, VCA Animal Hospitals reports.
    Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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