[opin.ion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L opinion-, opinio, fr. opinari] (14c) 1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b: approval, esteem
2. a: belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b: a generally held view 3 a: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based -- opin.ioned adj syn 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".