Truth vs. Opinion — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 17, 2023
Truth refers to a fact or reality that is indisputable, while an opinion is a personal belief or judgment that isn't necessarily based on proof or certainty.
Difference Between Truth and Opinion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Truth is a statement or idea that aligns with reality and can be independently verified. Opinion, on the other hand, is a subjective belief or view held by someone, irrespective of it being factually accurate.
Truth remains constant and is universal, meaning it remains the same regardless of who perceives it or where it is perceived. Opinions can differ vastly among individuals based on their personal experiences, beliefs, or emotions.
A critical distinction between truth and opinion lies in the evidence. Facts supporting truth can be measured, tested, and proven, whereas opinions rely more on individual interpretation and feelings.
The value of truth in societies is immense as it forms the foundation for knowledge, science, and rational decision-making. Opinions, while valuable for understanding perspectives, don't have the same universal applicability.
To sum up, while truth stands as an objective reality, opinion is a subjective perspective that may or may not align with the truth.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An indisputable fact or reality.
A personal belief or judgment.
Basis
Evidence, facts, reality.
Personal feelings, beliefs, experiences.
Universality
Remains constant universally.
Can vary among individuals.
Validation
Can be independently verified.
Not necessarily based on facts.
Role in Communication
Provides objective information.
Offers subjective perspectives.
Compare with Definitions
Truth
Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality. In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.Truth is usually held to be the opposite of falsehood.
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment.
In my opinion, the movie was fantastic.
Truth
Conformity to fact or actuality
Does this story have any truth?.
Opinion
A viewpoint formed without concrete evidence.
His opinion on the matter was based on hearsay.
Truth
Reality; actuality
In truth, he was not qualified for the job.
Opinion
A formal statement by an expert.
The lawyer sought a legal opinion on the case.
Truth
The reality of a situation
The truth is, she respects your work.
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).
Truth
A statement proven to be or accepted as true
Truths about nature.
Opinion
A subjective perspective.
Public opinion was against the new law.
Truth
Such statements considered as a group
Researchers in pursuit of truth.
Opinion
An estimation or appraisal.
The doctor gave her opinion on the patient's health.
Truth
Sincerity; integrity
The truth of his intentions.
Opinion
An opinion is a judgement, viewpoint, or statement that is not conclusive, rather than facts, which are true statements.
Truth
Fidelity to an original or standard
The truth of the copy.
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Truth
Theology & Philosophy That which is considered to be the ultimate ground of reality.
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Truth
(Logic) The positive (true) truth-value.
Opinion
The prevailing view
Public opinion.
Truth
True facts, genuine depiction or statements of reality.
The truth is that our leaders knew a lot more than they were letting on.
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
Truth
Conformity to fact or reality; correctness, accuracy.
There was some truth in his statement that he had no other choice.
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.
Truth
The state or quality of being true to someone or something.
Truth to one's own feelings is all-important in life.
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.
Truth
(archaic) Faithfulness, fidelity.
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.
Truth
(obsolete) A pledge of loyalty or faith.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, model, etc.
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Truth
That which is real, in a deeper sense; spiritual or ‘genuine’ reality.
The truth is what is.
Alcoholism and redemption led me finally to truth.
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Truth
(countable) Something acknowledged to be true; a true statement or axiom.
Hunger and jealousy are just eternal truths of human existence.
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.
Truth
Topness; the property of a truth quark.
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
Truth
(games) In the game truth or dare, the choice to truthfully answer a question put forth.
When asked truth or dare, he picked truth.
Opinion
To have or express as an opinion.
Truth
To assert as true; to declare; to speak truthfully.
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.
Truth
To make exact; to correct for inaccuracy.
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.
Truth
To tell the truth.
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.
Truth
The quality or being true; as: - (a) Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be.
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, object of imitation, or the like.
Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the ironwork.
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.
Truth
That which is true or certain concerning any matter or subject, or generally on all subjects; real state of things; fact; verity; reality.
Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor.
I long to know the truth here of at large.
The truth depends on, or is only arrived at by, a legitimate deduction from all the facts which are truly material.
Opinion
To opine.
Truth
Fidelity; constancy; steadfastness; faithfulness.
Alas! they had been friends in youth,But whispering tongues can poison truth.
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?
Truth
A true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition; an established principle, fixed law, or the like; as, the great truths of morals.
Even so our boasting . . . is found a truth.
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Truth
The practice of speaking what is true; freedom from falsehood; veracity.
If this will not suffice, it must appearThat malice bears down truth.
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
Truth
Righteousness; true religion.
Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
He that doeth truth cometh to the light.
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Truth
To assert as true; to declare.
Had they [the ancients] dreamt this, they would have truthed it heaven.
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
Truth
A fact that has been verified;
At last he knew the truth
The truth is the he didn't want to do it
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
Truth
Conformity to reality or actuality;
They debated the truth of the proposition
The situation brought home to us the blunt truth of the military threat
He was famous for the truth of his portraits
He turned to religion in his search for eternal verities
Truth
A true statement;
He told the truth
He thought of answering with the truth but he knew they wouldn't believe it
Truth
The quality of nearness to the truth or the true value;
He was beginning to doubt the accuracy of his compass
The lawyer questioned the truth of my account
Truth
United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate of the abolition of slavery and for the rights of women (1797-1883)
Truth
An established or verified fact.
The truth is that water boils at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.
Truth
Reality or actuality.
She soon realized the truth behind his words.
Truth
Conformity with fact.
It's the truth that apples fall due to gravity.
Truth
A universally accepted principle or fact.
The truths of mathematics are undeniable.
Truth
Sincerity; genuineness.
She spoke the truth about her feelings.
Common Curiosities
Can opinions change?
Yes, opinions can change based on new experiences or information.
Is truth the same for everyone?
Yes, truth remains constant and is universal.
What defines an opinion?
An opinion is a personal belief or judgment not necessarily based on proof.
Can opinions be factual?
Opinions can be informed by facts but are subjective and can't be proven true or false.
Why are opinions important?
Opinions provide insight into personal beliefs, feelings, and perspectives.
How are opinions formed?
Opinions are formed through personal experiences, emotions, beliefs, and external influences.
Can truth be subjective?
By definition, truth is objective, but interpretations or perceptions of truth can be subjective.
What is truth?
Truth is an indisputable fact or reality.
How is truth verified?
Truth can be verified through evidence, testing, and factual alignment.
Why is seeking the truth important?
Truth forms the foundation for knowledge, understanding, and rational decision-making.
Are all truths absolute?
While some truths are absolute, others can be relative based on context.
Can everyone have their own truth?
While everyone can have their own perspective or interpretation, factual truth remains constant.
Can something be both a truth and an opinion?
A statement can be based on truth and still be an opinion if it contains subjective elements.
Can opinions be harmful?
If based on misinformation or bias, opinions can lead to misunderstandings or harm.
How can one differentiate between truth and opinion in a statement?
Analyzing the statement for verifiable facts can help differentiate between truth and opinion.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
