There are several synonyms that can be used instead of the term "popular sentiments." These may include prevailing attitudes, widespread beliefs, commonly held opinions, dominant views, commonly shared ideas, and general perceptions. These synonyms convey the overall mood or attitude of a group of people or population towards a particular topic or issue. Using these words instead of 'popular sentiments' can help to add variety and interest to your writing while also helping readers to get a clearer understanding of the collective thoughts and feelings of a group or society. Therefore, it is important to choose the right synonyms based on the context of your writing.