1
as in romance
also affaire
a brief romantic relationship
an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in event
a social gathering
the annual country club dance is a really fancy affair
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3
as in production
something produced by physical or intellectual effort
the lead float in the parade was a pretty impressive affair, a giant eagle's head with equally huge wings
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4
as in incident
something that happens
the whole affair from start to finish took a total of 15 minutes
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5
as in matter
something to be dealt with
it's none of your affair whom I'm going out with tonight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affair
Trump has seemed to doze off multiple times while guests talk during announcements in the Oval Office and as secretaries speak at Cabinet meetings, which often turn into hours-long affairs as top administration officials lavish praise on the president.
—
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Co-director Shin Wan Kim has primarily produced talk shows and current-affairs documentaries, with focus on education issues.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Minnesota is alleging that the deployment of officers from ICE and other federal agencies unconstitutionally interferes with the state’s authority to manage its affairs and is hurting the safety and health of residents.
—Peter Blumberg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affair
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Co-director Shin Wan Kim has primarily produced talk shows and current-affairs documentaries, with focus on education issues.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Minnesota is alleging that the deployment of officers from ICE and other federal agencies unconstitutionally interferes with the state’s authority to manage its affairs and is hurting the safety and health of residents.
—Peter Blumberg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affair
Noun
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Actually looking for the romance category as a category that’s been underrepresented, both in streaming and just kind of broadly in our eyes.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Yet in Season 3 of the show, Theo didn’t appear at all, suggesting that Eloise’s romance in the show may go back to following the books.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ball was depicted on social media attending a Senior Bowl event at a local elementary school on Monday, which was publicized by both the Senior Bowl and UA athletics.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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There were almost no literary festivals or bookstore events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This $90 million investment will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub, as per the release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
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The Patriots’ defensive production is also excellent, and names such as nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Craig Woodson (a rookie from Cal) wouldn’t be under the radar any longer with a seventh Lombardi trophy for the franchise.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In one incident captured by the brothers on January 21, a clash erupted between protesters and federal agents — which ended in someone being pepper sprayed directly in the face while they were held down by three agents.—
Sophia Peyser,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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No one was injured in the fire, but neighbors said the incident serves as a warning as homeowners across the region struggle with snow and ice after days of harsh weather.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Dark matter interacts with itself and normal matter only through the gravitational force and nothing else.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The spokesperson declined to provide any further information, citing an ongoing matter.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The breakout pair play closeted pro hockey players that are rivals on the ice who carry out a secret fling away from the rink.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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In case you haven’t been drawn in to the six-episode series yet, Kenworthy is referencing Hollander’s brief fling with actress Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse), which ends when Landry susses out that the hockey hunk is possibly more interested in her gay BFF than her.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Super Bowl Sunday approaches--the second biggest food consumption day of the year--tons of people will ask AI for party recipes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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The crucial crossing, which has been largely closed since Israel seized it in May 2024, underwent a series of preparations on Sunday from the European Union, Egypt and other parties that will be involved in running the border crossing.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, responsible hemp retailers that already use age restrictions, third-party testing and labeling standards are pushed out of the market, even for many nonintoxicating products.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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His original sketches and the finished product—which opens and closes like a vintage sliding travel clock—are remarkably similar.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affair. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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