sentiment

noun

ˈsen-tə-mənt How to pronounce sentiment (audio)
Definition of sentimentnext
1
as in emotion
a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation a sentiment of happiness and goodwill

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opinion
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge antiwar sentiments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 While many echoed this sentiment in the comments and their own TikTok videos, not everyone is convinced. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025 That sentiment was certainly true for me. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025 Many Republican figures have relayed the same sentiment. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 Widely considered the best pass rusher in the draft, Carter backed up that sentiment by leading all rookies in Week 1 with four quarterback pressures. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sentiment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentiment
  1. emotion
  2. opinion
  3. feeling
  4. belief
  5. chord
  6. view
  7. sense
  8. mind
Noun
  • Don't hide from the layers of emotions and frustrations.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • King's works have always run on big, outsized emotions, and De Palma, with all his extra-ness, may have been the perfect director to first bring the author's work to the screen.
    — James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • The opinions expressed in this story are theirs and not those of ABC News.
    — Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Some throw pillow shapes—namely ones that can do double duty as floor cushions when the occasion rises—are just superior, in our opinion.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Saying goodbye is never easy, and this golden retriever made sure his feelings were heard loud and clear.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • Her bold spirit and belief in God's guidance have propelled her to pursue various impactful ventures.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Likewise, endorsing the belief that a college degree is important for economic success is different than agreeing that the typical college curriculum equips students with essential job skills.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of belief
Noun
  • The rapturous arrival struck a chord with President Marcos, who aspired to build his own cult of personality in the Philippines.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The message struck a chord among viewers on the platform.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of chord
Noun
  • Room for two, a supple ride, a gorgeous view over a curved hood, perfect flow of air up and over the windshield and cockpit with virtually no backsplash to disrupt pleasant conversation, and the ability at any time to experience a rush of power and speed when the moment calls.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
    — Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of view
Noun
  • Your base is the foundation of any makeup look, but in the year 2025, that doesn’t have to include actual foundation—at least not in the traditional sense.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.
    — Sandy Anderson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of sense
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

Browse Nearby Words

sentient
sentiment
sentimental
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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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