Synonym Chooser

How is the word emotion distinct from other similar nouns?

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

While in some cases nearly identical to emotion, affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Where would feeling be a reasonable alternative to emotion?

The meanings of feeling and emotion largely overlap; however, 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 is it sensible to use passion instead of emotion?

While the synonyms passion and emotion are close in meaning, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is sentiment a more appropriate choice than emotion?

In some situations, the words sentiment and emotion are roughly equivalent. 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 emotion Earlier in the season, Amaya entered the villa as a bombshell and cycled through multiple connections with men who found her emotions and affection overbearing. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 McLean wasn’t the only band member overcome with emotion during Friday’s nostalgic, otherworldly trip down memory lane. Leena Tailor, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025 Greed can be particularly pervasive in finance because promises of wealth can manipulate people’s emotions, Admati said. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 13 July 2025 Pay attention to their body language, tone of voice, and underlying emotions. Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emotion
Noun
  • And that feeling of intentional participation is the real fuel behind meaning, motivation and emotional nourishment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Was the purpose of that to help validate the way Jessica’s feeling?
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Cooler temperatures raise level of play The temperature dropped, and the intensity rose.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • Expressing Emotions Supports Emotional Regulation While many try to instinctively suppress uncomfortable emotions, research shows that simply putting your feelings into words can powerfully help regulate emotional intensity.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The clip struck a chord far beyond their friend group.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • Animal cruelty may strike a particular chord, but the casually brutal Russian FPV targeting of birds is nothing compared to the ‘human safari’ in Kherson where drones hunt down civilians.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Your loyalty, enthusiasm and belief in our products have meant the world to us.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • Crucially for Spurs, that enthusiasm in possession doesn’t wane without it.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The loud, brazen demeanor adopted by many pastors inspires mass trances and a sense of divine supremacy.
    Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025
  • Does this album feel different from other projects after achieving that sense of liberation?
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Wood flooring, found here and throughout much of the home, adds a feeling a warmth.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • Science backs this up: Simple expressions of warmth can lower stress hormones for both giver and receiver.
    Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • The family’s true farm-to-table lifestyle—growing fresh fruits and vegetables, raising chickens, hogs, and cattle—instilled in Mike a lasting passion for fresh ingredients and an appreciation for how meals can tell a story, bring people together, and celebrate heritage.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • McMichael's family told KFOR, an NBC affiliate, that purchasing livestock was a passion for him.
    Nicole Brown Chau July 14, CBS News, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Researchers and experts cite many reasons for this, including the rise of gun violence, food insecurity, and health care accessibility.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 July 2025
  • Coming from Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north, Buhari campaigned on promises to eliminate extremist violence, particularly from Boko Haram, and to combat the rampant corruption that had plagued Africa's largest economy.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emotion. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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