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 Even more so than in rehearsals, which were before the current administration had gone into office and before the election went south, in my opinion. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025 Parmesan Zucchini Tots Denser than your average tater tot—and (in this writer’s humble opinion) tastier, too. Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025 Joel Embiid is reportedly getting some opinions on what to do next with his knee, and Philly is using this opportunity to tank hard. Zach Harper, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Polls offer mixed signals about public opinion on these actions. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • This team looked dead and buried midway through the second half, their miserable performance having been utterly bereft of energy and belief.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
  • But optimism, the belief that things can improve, and progress is possible, can be a powerful antidote to this struggle.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The full ramifications of Trump’s decision, whether in the country’s urban centers or rural enclaves, won’t be fully absorbed for weeks or months.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes Mission Bay, said the organizers must suffer the consequences of their bad decisions.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the view of Trump’s critics, this is precisely what has occurred.
    Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Flagging the public service views are Eva Kamin, VP of acquisitions and co-productions at Germany’s ZDF Studios and Manuel Alduy, France Télévisions’ head of international fiction and cinema.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The verdict came in on March 1, after a six-day trial: guilty on all counts.
    David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
  • So, although warp drive seems implausible, the final verdict is uncertain.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Quieting your mind stimulates the part of your brain that dampens the surges of adrenaline and cortisol accompanying stress. 3.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The Badgers, meanwhile, had been on fire lately and had ascended to a bona fide Final Four contender in the minds of many.
    Jim Root, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In other cases, workers are drawing their own conclusions.
    Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Watching Jacob imprint on a horrifying CGI baby is one of the series’ worst moments, but Bella’s transition into a vampire is one of the best — and an effective cliffhanger for the saga’s epic conclusion.
    Lincee Ray, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The interview, which focused on attitudes toward Israel, sparked controversy, and even Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, rebuked CBS News executives for slamming the correspondent.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Instead of repeating his laissez-faire attitude toward his own administration, the Republican president is asserting control at every opportunity, backed up by loyalists at all levels of government.
    Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Newsweek has reached out to legal experts to analyze whether Trump's executive order truly contradicts the 14th Amendment and, if so, to clarify the legal reasoning behind such a determination.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • That's fine; the letter's arrival is not a final determination.
    Jeff Weiner, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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