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

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 Commentary and opinion Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco can’t catch a break. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The Texas Politics Projects also gauged voter’s opinions on other statewide races set for the November midterm ballot, including the contest for Texas governor. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 The defense attorney then pressed Heilbrun about his involvement in this case and whether his hiring by the prosecution affects his opinion in this case. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The Associated Press An arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate a Black opinion writer fired over social media posts about violent white men following last year's killing of Charlie Kirk. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opinion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opinion

Noun

Contrary to popular belief, good skin care doesn’t require you to blow through your entire beauty maintenance budget.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
The attention Everytime received in Cannes – and now the jury’s confidence in the film – reinforce our belief that cinema needs distinctive voices with the courage to follow their own form and, precisely by doing so, reach audiences across borders.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

This concludes a much more low-key episode than the pilot but one that keeps its characters in full view while nudging each mystery carefully forward.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
In Carney’s view, however, Canada has been attacked by the United States, which for decades has been one of its closest partners and allies.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

Hochman called Monday’s verdict an important step toward justice and accountability.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Glenn Close has given her final verdict on All’s Fair costar Kim Kardashian, after their ensemble legal drama debuted to scathing reviews that, according to a new social media post, still plague the latter.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of verdict

Noun

On his mind are various ideas for addressing social upheaval.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
While the settlement may put Meta investors' minds at ease for now, while setting a perhaps reassuring precedent for the rest of social media, analysts don't think the Mark Zuckerberg company is completely out of the legal woods.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mind

Noun

When the commission came to the same conclusion, the condo association appealed once again to Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
That’s the conclusion of new survey of 5,693 frontline workers and managers out of Dayforce, which finds that frontline productivity suffers due to disconnected information and workflows.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclusion

Noun

Due to multiple malfunctions in the LINK spacecraft's attitude control system, space engineers have decided to abandon the boost attempt.

— David Szondy August 20, New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026
Asked about Fernandez’s future in a press conference to preview Chelsea’s clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, Alonso praised the Argentina international’s quality and attitude in training at Cobham without giving a definitive response.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of attitude

Noun

The sheriff’s office later declined to say why that determination was made, when the remains were found or who found them when asked by CNN.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The United States has extremely capable engineers, manufacturing expertise and a lot of determination.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of determination

Browse Nearby Words

opining

opinion

opinionated

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“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opinion. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of opinion

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Synonyms of opinion

noun

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