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

verb

present participle of feel
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3
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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feeling

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adjective

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
Verb
The uncanny feeling these images conjure is complemented by much more direct shots of daily life, beauty pageants, and church services, as well as men running from cops and navigating life in prison. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 Talk about Gladys’ feelings when Billy does not speak up for her, doesn’t even seek her hand. Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025 Some unresolved feelings between Susie and her ex, Justin Glaze, will also be confronted, according to ABC. Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025 Businesses themselves have to discover what the new way of thinking, speaking, feeling, acting and interacting might mean for their own workplace and their own business. Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • The prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain that regulates emotions, behavior and memory processing – is the last region to connect to others, one which may not fully integrate until the third decade of life.
    The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • The moment was filled with conflicting emotions, a mix of gratitude and solemn reflection.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 15 July 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
  • Some examples might include: Faith – Avoiding investments in companies that conflict with your beliefs.
    James Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • IndieWire noted that Offerman's prior roles include conservative and right-wing types, a contrast to his personal progressive beliefs.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Just off the sand, antique shops and farm stands along the streets of Southampton give it a small-town feel.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
  • The layout has an open and airy feel, with plenty of natural light and clean architectural lines.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • No doubt, Purvis is dealing with a lot, but Harris’ mother expressed no sympathy.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
  • The new executive order comes at a time when popular sympathy for migrants has wavered, and when the political party traditionally allied with immigrants has shown a willingness to approach immigration policy from a new consensus.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Lunches, meetings, phone calls, always Mark’s delicious southern drawl infusing us with his spirit and kindness.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 July 2025
  • Politeness and kindness are attributes that parents want to reinforce and encourage in their children.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 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
Verb
  • While established players often tout the breadth of their offerings, nimble and focused cybersecurity solutions are more likely to win the trust of forward-thinking CISOs and enterprises.
    James Winebrenner, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Investors expect executives to articulate AI's role in their strategies, and top talent gravitates toward forward-thinking organizations.
    Paul Baier, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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