FEELING Synonyms: 386 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'feeling' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of feeling are affection , emotion , passion , and sentiment . While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," 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

Q: When can 'affection' be used instead of 'feeling'?

The words affection and feeling can be used in similar contexts, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings. // a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Q: How do 'emotion' and 'feeling' relate to one another?

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

Q: When could 'passion' be used to replace 'feeling'?

The words passion and feeling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion. // revenge became his ruling passion

Q: When might 'sentiment' be a better fit than 'feeling'?

The meanings of sentiment and feeling largely overlap; however, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea. // her feminist sentiments are well known

feeling 1 of 3

noun

ˈfē-liŋ

Definition of feeling

as in emotion

a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation an overall feeling of happiness about their new home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in passions

feelings plural general emotional condition a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in belief

an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge an interesting think piece in which the congresswoman expressed her feelings about our nation's most pressing problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fact
truth

as in feel

an indefinite physical response to a stimulus that odd feeling of forward movement you get when the parked car next to you backs out

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in sympathy

sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune a rich person without much feeling for those who are less fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune a woman of great feeling, the princess wanted to use her status and influence to help the needy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

feeling

2 of 3

adjective

as in loving

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

feeling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of feel

as in sensing

to have a vague awareness of I feel trouble brewing in the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in touching

to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin feel this blanket and perceive how soft it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in experiencing

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in thinking

to have as an opinion I just feel that we haven't explored all of our options for raising funds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fumbling

to search for something blindly or uncertainly the sudden blackout had us feeling around in the dark for a flashlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in seeming

to give the impression of being it felt like a good idea at the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word feeling distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of feeling are affection, emotion, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," 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 affection be used instead of feeling?

The words affection and feeling can be used in similar contexts, 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?

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 passion be used to replace feeling?

The words passion and feeling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When might sentiment be a better fit than feeling?

The meanings of sentiment and feeling largely overlap; however, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 feeling

Noun

Anyone who has dropped off a kid at college knows this feeling. — John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Venice is also likely to elicit strong feelings in the debate over AI. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Grace Bower, a 21-year-old from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, is feeling the editing crush. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 And no one understands that feeling quite like Catherine Grace (Lola Petticrew), the serial killer Alice helped put away — and is now confiding in. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feeling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeling

Noun

Days filled with screenings, meetings, press conferences, discussion, discoveries, emotion, and, inevitably, a few surprises.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
There is a portion of Royals fans who wish manager Matt Quatraro would show more emotion during the season.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of emotion

Noun

Polite, slightly puzzling debates over the merits of using concrete in Africa muffle the period’s scalding passions and incandescent dreams.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Now, about six months after Dane’s death, Gayheart is staying strong and pursuing her passions, even in the wake of her grief.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of passions

Noun

Just as a market will theoretically arrive at the optimal price for a good that reflects the interests of many agents, trading in predictions could distill research, observation, and belief into actionable odds.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
It's rooted in our belief that, regardless of where Corning shares are coming from, regaining upside momentum will be extremely difficult in the near-term.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

Namely, a forgiving elastic waistband, a breezy, lightweight feel, and pockets that are actually deep enough to hold your essentials.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
Iconic yachting brand Riva was the inspiration behind the redesign, according to Christie, seen in the use of dark wood, pale leather and marble that gives the lounge a distinctly Italian feel.

— Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of feel

Noun

These proposals, many times rooted in sympathy and love, were presented as alternatives to the political structures and market logic that had so often led to war, exploitation, hopelessness, and suffering.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindness

Verb

Its sensing capabilities can help detect changes in temperature, humidity, lighting, and aspects of the home environment.

— Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
The company’s portfolio of core technology and products provides distinctive capabilities in the fields of remote sensing applications, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and high-performance computing.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sensing

Articles Related to feeling

Cite this Entry

Style

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeling. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of feeling

noun

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Obscure Words for Everyday Feelings

TFW

10 Uncommon Emotional Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on feeling

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes