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

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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 Some public health experts argue that scrutiny around mRNA technology is an extension of anti-vaccine sentiments in politics. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 Supply-chain disruptions driven by the trade war, labor shortages caused by deportations, and overall policy uncertainty are hurting business and consumer sentiment, leading to lower spending, lower growth, and lower interest rates. — Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 Even Senior Advisor to the President, Elon Musk has expressed sentiments on free trade (with Europe) that deviate from the direction of the administration. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Sun and Moon conjunctions can indicate soulmate energy The Sun is the ego, and the moon is our sentiments. — Lisa Stardust, People.com, 29 Mar. 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
  • More than fifty years ago, any semi-sentient being could recognize the dangers of forcing minors to work gruelling hours performing emotions for the delectation of large and unseen audiences, long before their brains had finished developing.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The ceremony, though heavy with emotion, was also a celebration of the beloved rapper who helped shape Atlanta’s sound.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Danny is preparing her staff for an imminent natural disaster in this scene, so the tone’s quite serious already, and her opinion of Grey’s seems uncharitable at best.
    — Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of opinion
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
  • As algorithms and politics herd us into narrower and narrower silos, the pressure increases on artists (as well as comedians, actors, and even brands) to mirror their fans’ core beliefs.
    — Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their belief in this project means the world to me.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of belief
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
  • Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Those negative opinions of Musk are bleeding over into negative views of Tesla, especially among those who identify as liberals.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of view
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 more Tropper thought about it, the more one actor appeared in his mind for Coop: Jon Hamm.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Price upon publish date of this article: $780 What to Look for in a Crossbody Phone Bag Special features: When shopping for a crossbody phone bag, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of mind

Browse Nearby Words

sentient
sentiment
sentimental
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Cite this Entry

“Sentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentiment. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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