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

Relevance

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 After gold's price surged to record highs earlier this year, the market became more vulnerable to profit-taking and short-term swings as sentiment shifted. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Although geopolitical events like the launch of military actions tend to rattle the securities markets in the short term, investors eventually shift to the long view, assuming that these conflicts will eventually be resolved and the door reopened to bullish sentiment. —Michael Hiltzik, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 Satriani voiced similar sentiments during a separate interview from Glendale, where the SATCHVAI Band was rehearsing for its first tour of 2026. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 Public sentiment and the economy soured only after the conflict stretched on. —Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 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
  • During the service, the archbishop and priests carried a cross down the cathedral’s center aisle in an emotions-stirring moment for those who witnessed the traditional procession.
    — Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Lisa Lee meditates on translating emotion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Ask your server for their opinion on the natural wines, or go for a low-key aperitivo.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • The feeling is more glossy high-design hub than Norman Rockwell painting.
    — Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • People have strong feelings and strong opinions to-day, to an almost ruthless degree.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • But, for many American Jews, Zionism has come to represent the belief that there should be such a home—both because of the Jewish people’s ties to their ancestral land and because of the centuries of persecution that Jews endured, culminating with the Holocaust.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • According to Christian belief, Jesus was arrested, tried by Roman authorities and sentenced to death by crucifixion.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of belief
Noun
  • What struck a chord with so many people?
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The memoir has struck a chord with readers facing unexpected divorces or other marital devastation.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of chord
Noun
  • Ho Tzu Nyen’s virtual reality installation Voice of Void, 2021, which was on view at Berlin’s Neugerriemschneider gallery this spring, offers a glimpse of such possibilities.
    — Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Set the scene Soaring at 1,000 feet above sea level on the St James hills, just a 10-minute drive from the heat and bustle of the west coast’s towns and beaches, Apes Hill offers a refreshing breeze and views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of view
Noun
  • Often, this is a useful guideline, and limits, in general, are very much the friend of the fiction writer, but there are certain stories that benefit from a sense of instability.
    — Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The vibe is certainly formal, but in the stylish sense of the word—don’t be afraid to make conversation with the friendly concierge or front desk staff.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Moreover, Trump's attempts to take credit for lower prices earlier in his term may link him to prices in voters' minds.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Nguyen was also the mind behind the mural’s postcard style, and its setting against the Santa Ana Mountains and a California sunset.
    — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of mind

Browse Nearby Words

sentient
sentiment
sentimental
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sentiment

Nglish: Translation of sentiment for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of verdant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All