opinion

noun

ə-ˈpin-yən How to pronounce opinion (audio)
Definition of opinionnext
1
as in belief
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge a number of voters expressed the opinion that all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, are corrupt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decision
a position arrived at after consideration after reviewing the evidence, the athletic board came to the opinion that the team be disqualified for recruiting violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun opinion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of opinion are belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

When is it sensible to use belief instead of opinion?

While in some cases nearly identical to opinion, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When can conviction be used instead of opinion?

The meanings of conviction and opinion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When might persuasion be a better fit than opinion?

In some situations, the words persuasion and opinion are roughly equivalent. However, persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than opinion?

The words sentiment and opinion can be used in similar contexts, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

In what contexts can view take the place of opinion?

The words view and opinion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 opinion One sentence could be the sharp opinion your audience needs to hear. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 The opinions expressed in this story are theirs and not those of ABC News. —Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025 How to express your opinion The Legislature later this year is expected to consider a bill that recommends changes in state law on worker’s compensation, including providing raises to the permanently and totally disabled. —Tom Kertscher, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. —Brad Rencher, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
  1. belief
  2. decision
  3. view
  4. verdict
  5. mind
  6. conclusion
  7. attitude
  8. determination
Noun
  • This result should give Spurs and Frank belief.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • These confrontations positioned Kirk as accessible and confident in his polarizing beliefs and created a sense of intellectual challenge that appealed to competitive young students.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of belief
Noun
  • What To Know The basis of his decision, Greenfield said, was a long-running dispute with Unilever over the company's ability to pursue social justice and activist causes that were important to the founders.
    — Hugh Cameron Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • One of the most recent cases includes the high court’s 2017 decision in Matal v Tam, in which the justices ruled that a law preventing trademarks of disparaging terms was unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of decision
Noun
  • Their status as descendants of refugees fleeing the genocide means many take a hardline view on the country, with some clashing with Yerevan.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Generic view of a Nike Vapor Elite Game Football up against a pylon before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Definition of view
Noun
  • The judge found that nine of the jurors either never knew about the text message at all or only learned about it after reaching their verdict.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Alam’s family and supporters in the courtroom let out an initial gasp at relief when the jury returned a verdict without immediate jail time.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of verdict
Noun
  • With these factors all in mind, clips from the Vegas opening are obviously being heavily scrutinized in Motley Crue fan forums.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Put yourself into unknown territory and open up your mind, spirit and vision.
    — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of mind
Noun
  • That’s the conclusion of Megan McArdle, an oft-Trump-critic, libertarian-minded Washington Post columnist.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Below is a multi-factor evaluation that offers a more in-depth understanding of our conclusions.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of conclusion
Noun
  • The Two Hearts Of A New MacBook Apple has been reluctant to feed these demands over the last decade, but there are signs that the attitude is thawing.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The attitude of last season has vanished, replaced by that performative pregame dustup as Texas A&M headed toward its locker room.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of attitude
Noun
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio made that determination earlier this year, citing Khalil's advocacy.
    — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • What’s proven to work well in practice in that local climate zone (search results provide enough clarification for one to swiftly make that determination) is what’s needed.
    — Richard Olsen, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of determination

Browse Nearby Words

opining
opinion
opinionated
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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on opinion

Nglish: Translation of opinion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about opinion

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