Definition of opinionnext

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 More recent negotiations to end the war have largely failed to address differing opinions on ownership and control over the Strait. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 On this, too, Brazil has electoral laws that ban AI tools from ranking candidates or emitting opinions. — Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026 Mercury in Scorpio squares Mars in Leo, making opinions stronger, reactions quicker, and certain conversations easier to escalate than intended. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The conversation explores a range of opinions on the role of college sports and the involvement of Congress in regulating it. — Nick Saban, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion
Noun
  • At the heart of that legacy is a simple belief that movies are best seen together, on a big screen.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The memoir also details Cooper’s crippling, career-stalling struggles with substance abuse during the late ‘70s and goes into depth about his subsequent re-embrace of Christianity and his current beliefs and practices.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In emergency decisions, by contrast, the president has a much stronger track record of wins.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There was angst among fans about Suamataia being held from the game, followed by blowback for questioning coach Andy Reid’s decision.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In my view, the government must get ahead of that curve by establishing a full-fledged Department of AI, rather than leaving it to a single individual.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Following the meeting, the president dismissed the idea of new AI rules and reiterated his view that the industry should police itself.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In a rare sign of unity within Kosovo's fractured legislative assembly, lawmakers earlier this week unanimously condemned the war crimes verdicts in a declaration.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Soon after the verdict, Harley Feldman, who had attended his daughter's trial daily, passed away.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But this is an album that’s apparently about the artist’s double life, and the questions that are bound to be at the forefront of any curious listener’s mind go unaddressed.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Eco effort Because Kanai is a protected area, eco efforts are top of mind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And your job as a writer is to put some order onto those pieces, but not necessarily to draw some giant conclusion about them.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The league, however, did not publicly identify the standard used to reach that conclusion.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Precise attitude control keeps those instruments pointed at their targets as the satellites race around Earth.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Expand The never-say-die attitude of the White Sox was on full display against the Guardians.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But the investigation is ongoing, and no final determination has been made.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Colfax Mayor Caroline McCully said the opening represents the culmination of years of work and determination by people who believed in the project and the community.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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