emotion

noun

i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
Definition of emotionnext
1
as in feeling
a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation my emotions after hearing the shocking news went from utter disbelief to overwhelming sorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
depth of feeling the emotion that the singer is able to instill in "Amazing Grace" is truly stirring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word emotion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of emotion are affection, feeling, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," 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 might affection be a better fit than emotion?

While in some cases nearly identical to emotion, affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Where would feeling be a reasonable alternative to emotion?

The meanings of feeling and emotion largely overlap; however, 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 is it sensible to use passion instead of emotion?

While the synonyms passion and emotion are close in meaning, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than emotion?

In some situations, the words sentiment and emotion are roughly equivalent. 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 emotion The man is absolutely magnetic in a way that so few television actors are, packing every inch of the screen with conflicting emotion. — Samantha Allen, Them, 21 Mar. 2025 Researchers at University College London report that people who regularly share meals report higher levels of life satisfaction and positive emotions compared to those who eat alone. — Alex Knapp, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 How often does Bennett show actual emotion on the floor? — Cj Moore, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Internal Anger Anger is an unpleasant emotion that is often considered not socially acceptable to express. — Wendy Wisner, Health, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emotion
  1. feeling
  2. intensity
  3. chord
  4. enthusiasm
  5. sense
  6. warmth
  7. passion
  8. violence
Noun
  • Their music taught me how to put lyrics to the feeling of love.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • According to the analyst, the two catalysts that should support KLA’s revenue growth are process control intensity and market share increase.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • To initiate fusion, Marvel’s approach involves using an ultrashort laser pulse that interacts with small fuel pellets in a target structure with high intensity.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Tilley-Coulson believes the reason her video struck such a chord is because so many millennials remember it firsthand.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Two decades before viewers began booking time with The White Lotus, series creator Mike White struck a chord with the movie School of Rock.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of chord
Noun
  • Johnson and Blunt brought Scorsese and DiCaprio the initial concept for the film, which was met with immediate enthusiasm.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • In a discussion with Collider in August 2024, co-creator, writer and producer Bill Lawrence emphasized the collective enthusiasm among the cast and crew to continue with season 4 if given the opportunity.
    — Maddie Garfinkle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • His sharp sense of storytelling and visionary approach to content has consistently set him apart as a true leader.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That has always been part of the Trumpist package of maybe not ideas in the sense of grand philosophies but certainly cultural ideas.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of sense
Noun
  • The warmth between the three leads is believable and although the tendency to have Lane, Bomer and Graham break into choreographed song and dance routines for episodic climaxes quickly feels lazy, a cold open homage to Chicago produced my biggest laugh of the 10-episode season.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
  • She will be remembered for her imaginative spirit, her pioneering role in supernatural fiction, and her generosity, warmth and heart, both on and off the page.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of warmth
Noun
  • Which parent, like William, hasn’t wanted to share their passion with their children?
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Her passion for science and learning — and communicating new things in an accessible way — brought about the iconic, eccentric teacher that kids around the world hold dear.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of passion
Noun
  • Their violence — in medieval bestiaries, unicorns are regularly said to have beef with elephants and take them down by goring their bellies — is contrasted with their gentleness towards maidens and innate understanding of purity.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The bonfire of the Teslas: Political violence and the Left That will be a serious slog over the next three-plus years, with the Democratic brand in poor shape.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of violence

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emoting
emotion
emotional
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Cite this Entry

“Emotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emotion. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on emotion

Nglish: Translation of emotion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emotion

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