attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
1
a
: the act, process, or power of attracting
b
: personal charm
2
: the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality
3
: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
4
: something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes
coming attractions
Choose the Right Synonym for attraction

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together.

attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

Examples of attraction in a Sentence

The waterfall continues to be the main attraction at the park. The town's big attraction for movie lovers is the annual film festival. She is the star attraction of the show. There's a strong sexual attraction between them. His attraction to her grew over the course of their time together. A good relationship is based on more than just physical attraction. I understand the attraction of skydiving, but I could never do it. What are the attractions of owning your own business?
Recent Examples on the Web In particular, Phoebe’s scenes with a sad-eyed teenage specter named Melody (Emily Alyn Lind) have a tenderness that the actresses and filmmakers perch exactly and intriguingly on the line between friendship and physical attraction. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 In partnership with Epic Resort Destinations, the new park will offer similar attractions to its Glendale, Arizona location that was announced in August 2023. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Another attraction is Hong Kong’s open financial system, which provides more appealing job opportunities for people who work in banking or finance. Joy Dong, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 CityWalk is an outdoor dining and entertainment destination, featuring restaurants and attractions like The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, VooDoo Donuts, Hollywood Drive-In Golf, and Universal’s Great Movie Escape Rooms. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2024 Extra attraction: Bart actually apologizes for making a prank call to Moe's. EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 The Chevrolet Vibes Stage attractions include Kassi Ashton, Blanco Brown, Lanco, Chrissy Metz, Raelyn, Tigerlily Gold, Darry Worley, T. Graham Brown, Jamie O’Neal and Mark Wills. Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Lightning flashes when there's a strong enough attraction between positive and negative charges. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 The attraction, which began with a dozen monkeys, attracted tens of thousands of people a year throughout the 1930s. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of attraction was circa 1575

Dictionary Entries Near attraction

Cite this Entry

“Attraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attraction. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
1
: the act, process, or power of attracting
2
: something that attracts or pleases
3
: a force acting between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

Medical Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
attract transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on attraction

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