Opinion vs. Thought: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
An opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something, often subjective and influenced by personal feelings, while a thought is a mental process of considering, reflecting, or pondering, not necessarily tied to personal beliefs.
Key Differences
An opinion is a viewpoint or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. It's often influenced by an individual's beliefs, feelings, or biases. Thoughts, on the other hand, are mental considerations or reflections that can occur without forming a definitive judgment or belief.
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Dec 09, 2023
Opinions are subjective and can vary greatly between individuals, often influenced by personal experiences, cultural background, and emotions. Thoughts encompass a broader range of mental activities, including reasoning, recalling, imagining, and planning, which may or may not lead to forming an opinion.
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Sharing an opinion usually involves stating a belief or preference about a subject, such as in debates or discussions. Thoughts, however, can be kept private and involve internal processes like contemplating a problem or daydreaming, not necessarily intended to be shared or communicated.
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Opinions often lead to disagreements and debates since they reflect personal stances. In contrast, thoughts can be more exploratory and open-ended, allowing for consideration of multiple perspectives without the need for immediate conclusion or judgment.
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Forming an opinion typically involves a level of commitment to a particular viewpoint, sometimes defended against contrasting opinions. Thoughts, however, can be more transient and flexible, changing as new information is processed or as reflection deepens.
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Comparison Chart
Influence
Based on personal feelings, beliefs, biases
Can be logical, imaginative, or reflective
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Purpose
Expressing a viewpoint or preference
Exploring, reasoning, or pondering
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Opinion and Thought Definitions
Opinion
Opinion represents a preference or taste
Her opinion on fashion is highly regarded.
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Thought
Thought is the process of considering something
She was lost in thought about her future plans.
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Opinion
Opinion is a personal belief or judgment
In my opinion, the movie was fantastic.
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Thought
Thought represents reflective contemplation
His thought on the subject was profound.
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Opinion
Opinion can be a formal statement of advice by an expert
The lawyer provided his legal opinion on the case.
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Thought
Thought can be an intention or plan
His thought to surprise her for her birthday was sweet.
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Opinion
Opinion can be a public sentiment or estimation
The public opinion on the matter was divided.
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Thought
Thought is a consideration or regard for someone
He sent a kind thought to his friend in need.
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Opinion
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew).
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
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Thought
The process of thinking; cogitation
Sitting deep in thought at the computer.
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Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
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Thought
A product of thinking or other mental activity
What are your thoughts on this matter?.
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Thought
The faculty of thinking or reasoning
Why not use thought instead of emotion to solve the problem?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
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Thought
The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group
Ancient Greek thought.
Deconstructionist thought.
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Opinion
An attorney's formal, usually written statement giving an assessment of how the law should be or is likely to be applied in a particular situation.
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Opinion
A piece of testimony that is not usually admissible when given by a layperson, as in contrast to an opinion given by an expert witness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
A belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.
I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.
In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.
We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thought
Expectation or conception
She had no thought that anything was wrong.
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Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
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Thought
(countable) Representation created in the mind without the use of one's faculties of vision, sound, smell, touch, or taste; an instance of thinking.
The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.
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Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
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Thought
(uncountable) The operation by which mental activity arise or are manipulated; the process of thinking; the agency by which thinking is accomplished.
Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom, and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.
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Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
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Thought
(uncountable) A way of thinking (associated with a group, nation or region).
Traditional eastern thought differs markedly from that of the west.
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Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
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Opinion
(European Union law) a judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible
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Thought
(uncountable) The careful consideration of multiple factors; deliberation.
After much thought, I have decided to stay.
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Opinion
That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting.
I can not put off my opinion so easily.
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Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.
However, I have no opinion of those things.
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Thought
The act of thinking; the exercise of the mind in any of its higher forms; reflection; cogitation.
Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative.
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Opinion
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises.
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Thought
Meditation; serious consideration.
Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought.
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Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
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Thought
That which is thought; an idea; a mental conception, whether an opinion, judgment, fancy, purpose, or intention.
Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thought.
Why do you keep alone, . . . Using those thoughts which should indeed have diedWith them they think on?
Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or to reject.
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
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Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
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Thought
Solicitude; anxious care; concern.
Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end.
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink.
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Thought
A small degree or quantity; a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better.
If the hair were a thought browner.
This [faculty], to which I gave the name of the "elaborative faculty," - the faculty of relations or comparison, - constitutes what is properly denominated thought.
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
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Thought
The content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about;
It was not a good idea
The thought never entered my mind
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
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Thought
The process of thinking (especially thinking carefully);
Thinking always made him frown
She paused for thought
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Opinion
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
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Thought
The organized beliefs of a period or group or individual;
19th century thought
Darwinian thought
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Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
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Thought
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
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Oct 19, 2023
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
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Thought
Thought can be an idea or mental picture
A sudden thought about the project excited him.
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Opinion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
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Opinion
Opinion is an evaluation or critique
He wrote a strong opinion on the novel's themes.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is an opinion?
An opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something.
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What is a thought?
A thought is the mental process of considering, reflecting, or pondering ideas.
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Can thoughts occur unintentionally?
Yes, thoughts can be spontaneous and unplanned.
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How do opinions form?
Opinions form through personal experiences, beliefs, and information intake.
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Can opinions be wrong?
Opinions are subjective and not about right or wrong, but can be uninformed.
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Can opinions change?
Yes, opinions can change with new information or experiences.
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Why do people have different opinions?
Different life experiences, knowledge, and values influence opinions.
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Do opinions have to be expressed?
Opinions can be kept private, but they are often expressed.
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Can thoughts influence opinions?
Yes, thoughts can shape and form opinions.
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Are thoughts always conscious?
Thoughts can be both conscious and subconscious.
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How do you respect others' opinions?
By listening and considering them, even if you disagree.
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Can you control your thoughts?
To some extent, through practices like mindfulness and reflection.
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Are opinions important?
Opinions are important as they reflect individual perspectives.
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Dec 09, 2023
What's the difference between a thought and an idea?
An idea is a specific type of thought, often more concrete and creative.
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How do opinions impact society?
Opinions shape social norms, policies, and cultural trends.
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Do all thoughts lead to opinions?
Not all thoughts lead to opinions; some are just reflections or daydreams.
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Are thoughts always rational?
Thoughts can be rational, but they can also be imaginative or emotional.
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Can opinions be harmful?
Yes, if they're based on misinformation or prejudice.
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Is it normal to have conflicting thoughts?
Yes, it's normal to have conflicting thoughts as part of the decision-making process.
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Do animals have thoughts?
Animals have cognitive processes, but their complexity varies.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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