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 The other important point when thinking about the capitulation of corporate media ownership is that, in the past, these organizations were important in terms of their ability to influence public debate and public sentiment. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 The artist’s portrayals of nude Hindu deities, however, stand accused of offending religious sentiments — a reaction his supporters believe is exacerbated by his Muslim heritage. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 One of the main sentiments was the understanding that Charlotte was growing. —Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025 Many Reddit users chimed in to offer their perspective, with one commenter summing up the sentiment shared by many. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 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
  • The Lakers got all the emotions from their star Friday night in a 49-point performance to lead a 128-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In these conditions, the gut’s nerves and the brain’s emotion-processing circuits are in unusually close communication.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • The opinion was requested by the UN General Assembly in December after Israel passed laws banning UNRWA, from operating in the country, significantly curtailing its ability to deliver aid to Gaza.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA’s Department of Psychology as part of an annual media survey asked 1,500 kids and young adults between the ages 10-24 their opinions about popular culture and media.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • There is an organic, honest feeling to Paulsen’s training.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The loss was an unfamiliar feeling for the Dodgers, who had only dropped one game this entire postseason entering Friday.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • Some religious leaders have said the fact that Kirk's political agenda was driven by his Biblical beliefs meant he was killed for his faith and amounted to an attack on Christianity.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Emphasizing research and measurable outcomes, their philanthropy also reflects a broader belief that wealth should be used in real time—not preserved for future generations.
    — Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of belief
Noun
  • The video struck a chord online, quickly becoming a viral hit among parents who knew the struggle of morning drop-offs all too well.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This one strikes a mid-century chord with its wide face and retro time display, with an atomic dial and silent-sweep movement to maximize quietness.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of chord
Noun
  • Now the wetlands, woods, wildflower meadows and river views, which are managed and protected by River Fields conservancy, are open for the public to enjoy from dawn to dusk.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Madrid view was clear in captain Dani Carvajal’s Instagram post on Tuesday.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of view
Noun
  • Both of those rankings praised the city for offering a sense of community, mountain scenery and a bustling arts scene.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • There was a sense of Diana and Charles arriving at Westminster Abbey in separate coaches on the day of the coronation.
    — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Of the respondents, 30% said having a conversation about family health history had never crossed their minds and 20% said their families don't talk about health openly.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The future is at the forefront of your mind.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
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 29 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All