feeling 1 of 3

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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

2 of 3

adjective

feeling

3 of 3

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
This CeraVe balm in particular keeps it balanced, and there’s no tight feeling post-wash. Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025 The downfall wasn’t immediate, however, as Louise—like many of Joe’s love interests—wrestled with her own romantic feelings for him before coming to the realization about who Joe really was. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2025 It’s been a while since the series addressed Pete’s feelings for Alberta, and her lack of them for him, but could this uncomfortable encounter be hinting at a big change ahead and a new Woodstone couple? Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025 Their music taught me how to put lyrics to the feeling of love. Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • Try to identify emotions beyond frustration, annoyance or other shades of anger.
    Caroline Fleck, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
  • There are moments of levity scattered throughout, a necessity when dealing with subject matter as harsh and cold as inevitable mortality, but they're surgically placed to extract the most emotion out of the player.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Your professional passions will soar or fizzle out when Venus retrograde meets the sun.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Events like these enhance the school experience and provide opportunities for students to learn from one another by showcasing their talents and passions, the news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But Sarah Harris, the Justice Department attorney who helped defend the parents’ position, said the county has put price on public education at the expense of parents forgoing their religious beliefs.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • For The 1st Time — At Lower Prices Champion their core beliefs Your target customers hold strong opinions about their world.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Plants a few miles away and has filled the apartment with enormous trees in ceramic pots, giving the rooms a bohemian feel.
    Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Designed to give a modern feel to your entertainment setup, this TV stand is made from solid pine and comes in two different wood finishes.
    Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And some had sympathy for what seemed like his intuitive habit, urging the creator and others in the comments to avoid judgement based on his past.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Shares of Advanced Micro Devices and Micron Technology fell 7% and 1%, respectively, in sympathy.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the time of publication, the video of her efforts has been watched over 228,000 times, with users flocking to offer words of kindness in the comments section.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Becky’s independence, kindness, determination and beauty will live on through her forever.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These institutions make our lives sweet, loving and creative, rather than nasty, brutish and short.
    David Brooks, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • These passages also reinforced his vision of a more inclusive and loving church, one that follows the example set by Jesus in the Gospels.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 2025.

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