feeling 1 of 3

1
2
as in passions
feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
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

5
6

feeling

2 of 3

adjective

feeling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of feel
1
2
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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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
Noun
Mercury enters Cancer on June 8: Let your words reflect the feelings underneath them. Colin Bedell, Them., 30 May 2025 If his message was not clear, Yorke made his feelings about Israel’s longest-serving PM even more so in the statement. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 May 2025 The lightweight feel of this comforter was like a summer comforter, and there is no bulky feeling to the comforter when tossing and turning, and the fill stayed consistent throughout, even during movement. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 May 2025 When shame or fear surfaces, instead of pushing the feeling away, taking a practical approach, writing down the specific thought that is being experienced, and challenging it with evidence is key. Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling
Noun
  • Everything gets harder when your emotions run wild and your judgment clouds.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • His evolution required alterations to his left-handed swing, learning how to channel his emotions, and even a few wake-up calls.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 29 May 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
  • With antisemitic beliefs already at their highest levels in decades, and with Jewish communities around the world facing a tsunami of antisemitic harassment and vandalism, especially post-Oct. 7, his comments about Jews and praise for Hitler are reaching a younger, more susceptible audience.
    Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • But that week, belief felt like the scarcest resource of all.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Another Buffy option, this comforter is known for its top-tier temperature regulation and plush-to-the-touch feel.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
  • The crisp colors, plush feel, and absorbency of our summer towels can quickly take a nose dive once the rigors of the season are in full swing.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Back home, Ramaphosa briefly enjoyed a wave of sympathy for remaining composed during what was the latest ambush of a foreign leader at the Oval Office.
    Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
  • The Bidens have elicited some sympathy during these hard times.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • By Carol McCloud, Illustrated by David Messing Summary: This book explains clearly and simply how everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled through small acts of kindness or emptied by acts of thoughtlessness or cruelty.
    Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Among the many points for assessing happiness around the world, like sharing meals with others and family bonds, researchers for the 2025 World Happiness Report looked closely at acts of kindness.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • This disorder also affects a parent’s ability to be an attentive and loving caregiver.
    Ty Schepis, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • Parks-Ramage doesn’t come to a specific conclusion, and although some of his more righteous characters seem to be firmly on the reproduction-is-immoral side, his depiction of Gabriel’s childlike wonder and imagination is tender and loving.
    Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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