feeling
Americannoun
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the function or the power of perceiving by touch.
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physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.
Deep tissue massage can involve both painful and pleasant feelings.
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a particular physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.
a feeling of warmth;
a feeling of pain.
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the general state of consciousness considered independently of particular sensations, thoughts, etc.
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a consciousness or vague awareness.
a feeling of inferiority.
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an emotion or emotional perception or attitude.
a feeling of joy;
a feeling of sorrow.
- Synonyms:
- sentiment, sensitivity, tenderness, empathy, sympathy
- Antonyms:
- apathy
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capacity for emotion, especially compassion.
The charity staff have great feeling for the sufferings of others.
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a sentiment; attitude; opinion.
The general feeling was in favor of the proposal.
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feelings, sensibilities; susceptibilities.
A harsh reply could hurt her feelings.
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fine emotional endowment.
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(in music, art, etc.)
-
emotion or sympathetic perception revealed by an artist in their work.
Though elegant, it was a poem without feeling.
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the general impression conveyed by a work.
Landscape paintings with a spacious feeling are very popular in small homes.
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sympathetic appreciation, as of music.
The pianist was known for his ability to play with feeling.
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adjective
-
- Antonyms:
- cold
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readily affected by emotion; sympathetic.
A feeling heart could not be unaffected by this tragic story.
- Synonyms:
- passionate, impassioned
-
indicating or characterized by emotion.
The defendant's speech gave a feeling reply to the charge.
noun
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the sense of touch
-
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the ability to experience physical sensations, such as heat, pain, etc
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the sensation so experienced
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a state of mind
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a physical or mental impression
a feeling of warmth
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fondness; sympathy
to have a great deal of feeling for someone
-
an ability to feel deeply
a person of feeling
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a sentiment
a feeling that the project is feasible
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an impression or mood; atmosphere
the feeling of a foreign city
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an emotional disturbance, esp anger or dislike
a lot of bad feeling about the increase in taxes
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intuitive appreciation and understanding
a feeling for words
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sensibility in the performance of something
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(plural) emotional or moral sensitivity, as in relation to principles or personal dignity (esp in the phrase hurt or injure the feelings of )
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to be emotionally or sexually attracted to
adjective
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sentient; sensitive
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expressing or containing emotion
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warm-hearted; sympathetic
Usage
What are other ways to say feeling?
A feeling is a particular sensation or an emotional perception or attitude. What’s the difference between feeling, emotion, passion, and sentiment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- feelingly adverb
- feelingness noun
- nonfeeling adjective
- nonfeelingly adverb
- underfeeling noun
Etymology
Origin of feeling
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; feel ( def. ), -ing 1 ( def. ), -ing 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026
"It was the subject matter and feeling the importance of telling the story and telling the story in America in 2026," DiDonato told AFP ahead of the premiere.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
"That gives us a good feeling, but nothing more. We have to be humble and ready for the next fight."
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
That’s why so many feel-good songs don’t have to be about feeling good.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
I had the feeling she knew I was being evasive, but she wasn’t going to pry like a nosy auntie.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
