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opinion

noun
opin·​ion | \ É™-ˈpin-yÉ™n How to pronounce opinion (audio) \

Definition of opinion

1a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter We asked them for their opinions about the new stadium.
b : approval, esteem I have no great opinion of his work.
2a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge a person of rigid opinions
b : a generally held view news programs that shape public opinion
3a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert My doctor says that I need an operation, but I'm going to get a second opinion.
b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based The article discusses the recent Supreme Court opinion.
Other Words from opinion Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about opinion

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Other Words from opinion

opinioned \ É™-​ˈpin-​yÉ™nd How to pronounce opinioned (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for opinion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment 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 view suggests a subjective opinion. very assertive in stating his views belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. a firm belief in her party's platform conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. was of the persuasion that everything changes sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. her feminist sentiments are well-known

opinion and belief mean a judgment that someone thinks is true. opinion is used when the judgment is not yet final or certain but is founded on some facts. I soon changed my opinion of the plan. belief is used if the judgment is certain and firm in a person's own mind without regard to the amount or kind of evidence. It's my belief we'll win the election.

Examples of opinion in a Sentence

We asked for their opinions about the new stadium. In my opinion, it's the best car on the market. The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 One challenge is the tension between concerns over the privacy of social media users and the desire to know how their opinions and votes are changing. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "Are social media misinformation campaigns affecting elections? MIT researchers say there’s a way to find out," 30 Aug. 2019 The latest letter asks Budish’s campaign committee to explain how previous advisory opinions by the Ohio Elections Commissions would allow for the use of campaign funds for legal fees. — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Board of Elections questions Budish campaign’s use of $208K for legal fees," 30 Aug. 2019 British opinion on Brexit has always been closely divided, and there have been calls to redo the 2016 referendum that approved it. — Laura Beers, The Conversation, "Why the queen said yes to Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament," 29 Aug. 2019 The Babel-like collisions of opinions now dominating the national conversation — on rostrums and social media platforms and at dinner tables — may be hell on your nerves. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: Opinions Collide in the Explosive Comedy ‘Eureka Day’," 29 Aug. 2019 The court previously blessed the arrangement in an unusually splintered opinion in 1972. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Jim Crow Returns to the Supreme Court," 28 Aug. 2019 Third-down efficiency is the next most important statistic in Baldwin’s opinion. — Joe Naiman, Ramona Sentinel, "Bulldogs fall to Olympian gridders," 28 Aug. 2019 Bustos chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has been aligned with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s opinion to let congressional investigations of Trump and his administration run their course. — Rick Pearson, chicagotribune.com, "11 of 13 Illinois Democrats in U.S. House now back impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump as U.S. Rep. Bill Foster signs on," 28 Aug. 2019 These efforts should not represent a revolution, but merely a reset for Hollywood, whose professed opinions on inclusion often do not match their practices. — Stacy L. Smith, Time, "Hollywood Has the Power to Combat Damaging Stereotypes About Latinos. Here's Proof That It's Utterly Failing," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opinion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of opinion

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for opinion

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin opinion-, opinio, from opinari

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More Definitions for opinion

opinion

noun
How to pronounce opinion (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of opinion

: a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing
: advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules

See the full definition for opinion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

opinion

noun
opin·​ion | \ É™-ˈpin-yÉ™n How to pronounce opinion (audio) \

Kids Definition of opinion

1 : a belief based on experience and on certain facts but not amounting to sure knowledge In my opinion you should take the job.
2 : a judgment about a person or thing She has a high opinion of herself.
3 : a statement by an expert after careful study He should get an opinion from a lawyer.

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