Thought vs. Opinion — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 13, 2024
Thoughts are internal reflections or considerations, while opinions are beliefs or judgments formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Difference Between Thought and Opinion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Thoughts are the mental processes in which individuals engage to consider, reflect, or ponder various subjects. These can range from simple to complex and are not always expressed outwardly. On the other hand, opinions are the conclusions or beliefs formed as a result of thinking about a subject. Opinions often reflect a person's feelings, biases, or perspectives and are usually expressed to others.
While thoughts can be fleeting and encompass a wide range of mental activities, including daydreaming, analysis, and planning, opinions are more defined and are specifically related to how a person feels about or interprets a subject. Opinions are often shared in discussions or debates, whereas thoughts might remain private unless the thinker chooses to share them.
Thoughts are not always based on facts or knowledge; they can be imaginative, speculative, or abstract. Opinions, however, although not always factual, are usually based on some degree of information or personal experience, even if they are biased or subjective.
The process of forming an opinion typically involves thinking, but not all thoughts develop into opinions. Some thoughts are just considerations or reflections that do not culminate in a definitive stance or belief about a subject.
Opinions are often subject to change when presented with new evidence or arguments, suggesting a certain level of flexibility. Thoughts, however, can be more transient and varied, not necessarily leading to a change in opinion unless they are organized and focused towards making a judgment.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Internal, can be private
Usually expressed, shared
Basis
Can be abstract, not needing facts
Often based on facts, experiences, or beliefs
Purpose
Reflecting, considering
Expressing a judgment or belief
Flexibility
Can be fleeting or persistent
Can change with new information
Outcome
May not lead to action
Often leads to or supports action
Compare with Definitions
Thought
A mental consideration of an issue.
She had a deep thought about the future of technology.
Opinion
A belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
His opinion on the matter was well-respected.
Thought
The action or process of thinking.
Thought is crucial for problem-solving.
Opinion
The formal expression of a professional judgment.
The doctor's opinion was that surgery was necessary.
Thought
An idea or plan formulated in the mind.
His thought was to innovate the existing model.
Opinion
A favorable belief about something not necessarily based on fact.
In his opinion, the movie was a masterpiece.
Thought
An intention or desire.
His thought was to surprise his friend on his birthday.
Opinion
A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
She expressed her opinion about the new policy.
Thought
Reflective thinking or meditation.
Morning walks are perfect for calm thought.
Opinion
A judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.
The critics gave their opinion of the novel.
Thought
The process of thinking; cogitation
Sitting deep in thought at the computer.
Opinion
An opinion is a judgement, viewpoint, or statement that is not conclusive, rather than facts, which are true statements.
Thought
Thought (or thinking) encompasses a flow of ideas and associations that can lead to logical conclusions. Although thinking is an activity of an existential value for humans, there is still no consensus as to how it is adequately defined or understood.
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).
Thought
Past tense and past participle of think.
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Thought
A product of thinking or other mental activity
What are your thoughts on this matter?.
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Thought
The faculty of thinking or reasoning
Why not use thought instead of emotion to solve the problem?.
Opinion
The prevailing view
Public opinion.
Thought
The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group
Ancient Greek thought.
Deconstructionist thought.
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
Thought
Consideration; attention
Didn't give much thought to what she said.
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.
Thought
Intention; purpose
My thought is to live in a house on a lake.
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.
Thought
Expectation or conception
She had no thought that anything was wrong.
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.
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.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
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.
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thought
(uncountable) A way of thinking (associated with a group, nation or region).
Traditional eastern thought differs markedly from that of the west.
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Thought
Anxiety, distress.
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.
Thought
(uncountable) The careful consideration of multiple factors; deliberation.
After much thought, I have decided to stay.
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
Thought
A very small amount, distance, etc.; a whit or jot.
Opinion
To have or express as an opinion.
Thought
Simple past tense and past participle of think
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.
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.
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.
Thought
Meditation; serious consideration.
Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought.
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.
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.
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
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.
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.
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.
Opinion
To opine.
Thought
The content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about;
It was not a good idea
The thought never entered my mind
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?
Thought
The process of thinking (especially thinking carefully);
Thinking always made him frown
She paused for thought
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Thought
The organized beliefs of a period or group or individual;
19th century thought
Darwinian thought
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
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?
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
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
Common Curiosities
What is a thought?
A thought is a mental process where an individual considers, reflects, or ponders on various subjects.
How do thoughts and opinions differ?
Thoughts are internal reflections, while opinions are expressed beliefs or judgments.
Are opinions always based on facts?
Opinions are not always based on facts; they can be influenced by personal feelings, biases, or perspectives.
Can a thought become an opinion?
Yes, when a thought is developed and formed into a belief or judgment about something, it can become an opinion.
Are thoughts always private?
While thoughts can be shared, they are inherently private until expressed.
Why are opinions important?
Opinions are important for expressing personal views and engaging in discussions or debates.
Can opinions change?
Yes, opinions can change when presented with new evidence or arguments.
What is an opinion?
An opinion is a belief or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Do all thoughts lead to opinions?
Not all thoughts lead to opinions. Some thoughts may remain as mere reflections or considerations.
What role do facts play in forming opinions?
Facts can influence opinions by providing a basis for beliefs or judgments, though opinions can also be formed without factual support.
How can one distinguish between a thought and an opinion?
A thought is a more general mental process, while an opinion is a specific belief or judgment formed as a result of thinking.
How do societal norms influence opinions?
Societal norms can shape opinions by establishing a framework of acceptable beliefs and judgments.
Is it possible to have an opinion without having thought about a subject?
While opinions are generally formed through some level of thought, they can sometimes be based on superficial information or impressions.
Can opinions be harmful?
Opinions can be harmful if they are based on misinformation or prejudice, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts.
How do personal experiences influence opinions?
Personal experiences heavily influence opinions by shaping an individual's perspective and beliefs.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
