OPINION Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'opinion' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of opinion are belief , conviction , persuasion , sentiment , and view . While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute. // each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'belief' instead of 'opinion'?

While in some cases nearly identical to opinion , belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. // a firm belief in her party's platform

Q: When can 'conviction' be used instead of 'opinion'?

The meanings of conviction and opinion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. // the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

Q: When might 'persuasion' be a better fit than 'opinion'?

In some situations, the words persuasion and opinion are roughly equivalent. However, persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. // was of the persuasion that everything changes

Q: When is 'sentiment' a more appropriate choice than 'opinion'?

The words sentiment and opinion can be used in similar contexts, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. // her feminist sentiments are well-known

Q: In what contexts can 'view' take the place of 'opinion'?

The words view and opinion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, view suggests a subjective opinion. // very assertive in stating his views

opinion

noun

ə-ˈpin-yən

Definition of opinion next

as in belief

an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge a number of voters expressed the opinion that all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, are corrupt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fact
truth

as in decision

a position arrived at after consideration after reviewing the evidence, the athletic board came to the opinion that the team be disqualified for recruiting violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun opinion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of opinion are belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

When is it sensible to use belief instead of opinion?

While in some cases nearly identical to opinion, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When can conviction be used instead of opinion?

The meanings of conviction and opinion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When might persuasion be a better fit than opinion?

In some situations, the words persuasion and opinion are roughly equivalent. However, persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than opinion?

The words sentiment and opinion can be used in similar contexts, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

In what contexts can view take the place of opinion?

The words view and opinion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 opinion It would be welcomed if Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper would publicly express their individual opinions and solutions via a guest column in The Denver Post. —

Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2025 Being an artist on a major label comes with an occupation hazard most jobs don’t entail – national scrutiny about your work, your appearance, your opinions. —

Joe Lynch, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025 Unlike a rule or regulation, which goes through a multistep review process in which stakeholders and the general public have opportunities to weigh in consistent with Constitutional due process, a fact sheet is more akin to an expression of opinion. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025 That logic was criticized by Justice Neil Gorsuch’s majority opinion in Alston and flat-out eviscerated by Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s concurring opinion, which described the NCAA and its member institutions as a cartel that suppresses athlete compensation. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for opinion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion

Noun

When Anna, who believes Malby cured her anorexia, invites Mathu to meet him, Mathu confronts his strained relationship with his father and the divide between their beliefs: science versus magic.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Some Medicaid recipients could get health insurance elsewhere Several conservative Medicaid experts shared the belief that some people on Medicaid could afford private insurance.

— Ryan Levi, NPR, 10 Feb. 2025