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 Julie Schott, cofounder of Starface (whose pimple patches have been seen on everyone from the Biebers to Millie Bobby Brown), shared a similar sentiment in a statement sent to WWD. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 Model Taylor Hill expressed the same sentiment. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Chu also pushed back against anti-Asian sentiment that quickly began to circulate online and in some media outlets. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 14 May 2026 Investor sentiment toward Venezuelan assets has improved sharply since Maduro’s removal. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 May 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
  • Some instances of the passionate emotion veer into more bloody endeavors with thrillers like Obsession and Lurker.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • And they’re also used as form of therapy for visitors to release complex emotions.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Regardless of the ultimate outcome, neither tech magnate is likely to win in the court of public opinion, said University of California at Berkeley Law School professor Stavros Gadinis.
    — Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • In that same light, McIlroy, Lowry, or any other player is absolutely entitled to share their opinions of a setup, and outside of an egregious statement, shouldn't take flak.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • February 19 – March 20 A conversation could stir feelings that are older than the topic itself.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
  • The most touching sections feature John expressing his love for Yoko, and drawing a connection between his love for her and his relationship with Paul, as well as his unresolved feelings about his 1970s activism.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • She surely was also exposed to Madame Charlotte Mentelle’s feminist beliefs and abolitionist leanings.
    — Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • But the Dodgers front office didn’t entertain the notion of bumping him, instead doubling down on their belief that the best thing for Sasaki’s long-term development was continuing to face big-league hitters.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Definition of belief
Noun
  • But recent research found that members of the Tsimane’, a native Amazonian society in Bolivia, rate consonant and dissonant chords as equally pleasurable.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • The company's business model, which is all about picking up excess inventory from high-quality brands and retailers at a discount and passing the savings along to shoppers, continues to strike a chord with consumers worn down by years of elevated inflation.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Definition of chord
Noun
  • This view has the political implication that any revolution must first be internal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • However, some concertgoers said they were frustrated by restrictive views in the floor section, citing the production's tall ramp structures.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Definition of view
Noun
  • That wouldn't have made sense if Rodgers weren't on the team.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
  • What doesn’t make sense is why the same amenity is not available at the airport in West Palm Beach.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Instead, the seductive peacefulness of the house brought to her mind the contemplative sets in the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Keep in mind that the Nomadix is essentially only an off-road e-moto, as it is not yet homologated for street riding.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 May 2026
Definition of mind

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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 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sentiment

Nglish: Translation of sentiment for Spanish Speakers

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