sentiment Hear it!

sentiment Definition

sen·ti·ment (sen′tə mənt)

noun

  1. a complex combination of feelings and opinions as a basis for action or judgment; general emotionalized attitude the sentiment of romantic love
  2. a thought, opinion, judgment, or attitude, usually the result of careful consideration, but often colored with emotion: often used in pl.
  3. susceptibility to feeling or to emotional appeal; sensibility
  4. appeal to the emotions in literature or art; expression of delicate, sensitive feeling
  5. sentimentality; maudlin emotion
  6. a short sentence or aphorism expressing some thought or wish, as in a toast
  7. the thought or meaning behind something said, done, or given, as distinct from the literal statement, act, etc.

Etymology: ME sentement < OFr < ML sentimentum < L sentire, to feel, sense

sentiment Synonyms

sentiment

n.

  1. Emotion

    sensibility, predilection, tender feeling; see emotion, feeling 4, thought 2.

  2. An opinion; often plural

    view, attitude, way of thinking; see opinion 1, viewpoint. See syn. study at feeling, opinion.

sentiment Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • solidarity: Once again, our congratulations on this important occasion and our profound sentiments of solidarity in our common cause, the cause of socialism.
  • motion: However, in general those opposed to the proposals did at least support the sentiment of the motion.

Converse of object

  • echo: We echo the sentiments in the article written by the Reverend Andrew Phillips on the 9th of January.
  • express: With the brand we're really trying to express the sentiments of youth, the new generation.
  • applaud: I applaud the sentiment; but it just ain't true.
  • endorse: Mr. Donohoe: I am sure that the whole House endorses the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister.
  • prevail: A stable society needs to be built on the bedrock of objective human values, not just the prevailing sentiments of the times.

Adjective modifier

  • anti-American: I really don't want to fight that battle anymore, I've fought anti-American sentiment quite a lot.
  • nationalist: Abdullah spoke in glowing terms of the surge in Arab nationalist sentiment at his college.
  • anti-war: However, its very presence on the agenda provided a focal point for anti-war sentiment.
  • patriotic: Pétain in France and Kornilov in Russia endeavored to rally their troops by a mixture of harsh discipline and appeals to patriotic sentiment.
  • anti-british: There seemed, in some cases, to be an element of anti-British sentiment in this distinction.

Modifies a noun

indicator: They also note that sentiment indicators aren't excessively bullish, which has typically meant a market turn isn't imminent.

Noun used with modifier

  • anti-us: I know it is an Islamic theology that supports terrorism and has strong anti-US sentiment.
  • protectionist: Unsurprisingly, protectionist sentiment is on the increase in the North.
  • anti-capitalist: Anyone with anti-capitalist sentiments will also find a mine of useful, moving, and amusing links and images.
  • investor: Investor sentiment is unclear on the question of whether property investment will increase in value over the next two years.
  • market: The news is not so good in the West Midlands and it is not helping property market sentiment at all.