1
as in romance
also affaire
a brief romantic relationship
an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort
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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
Audiences quickly attached to the affair, seemingly thrilled by the idea of a second-chance love for two bona fide movie stars in their own right.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
The VMAs are synonymous with over-the-top fashion — who could forget Chappell Roan’s sword from last year’s affair or Cardi B’s hair clip gown in 2023— and this year has been no different.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Sep. 2025
In between all the jokes, the film stops more than once to basically lecture on this sad state of affairs, an admirable Sturges-like approach that gets laid on thick, perhaps too thick to merge successfully with the largely comedic rhythm Ansari has established so well.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Need someone to absorb your wife’s anger over that extramarital affair without inconveniencing your mistress?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affair
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
The VMAs are synonymous with over-the-top fashion — who could forget Chappell Roan’s sword from last year’s affair or Cardi B’s hair clip gown in 2023— and this year has been no different.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Sep. 2025
In between all the jokes, the film stops more than once to basically lecture on this sad state of affairs, an admirable Sturges-like approach that gets laid on thick, perhaps too thick to merge successfully with the largely comedic rhythm Ansari has established so well.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Need someone to absorb your wife’s anger over that extramarital affair without inconveniencing your mistress?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affair
Noun
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For her, bedrooms and dining rooms, in particular, benefit from the romance and visual depth these prints offer.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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The pair rekindled their romance after a five-month break in early 2025.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In her most recent outing, which served as the co-main event of UFC 315 in May of this year, Shevchenko successfully defended her title for the first time in her second reign with a unanimous decision win over Manon Fiorot.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The mission of those events is to get the truck in front of people who are interested in it, those who are already reservation holders and to introduce the company and truck to people who have never heard of Slate.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Seconds after the anchors thanked Pulte for appearing and handed things off to Squawk on the Street, the production crew were tearing down the set and prepping for the opening bell.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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Butler is best known for co-founding Cultivate Entertainment Partners, a management and production company launched to champion underrepresented voices in the BIPOC and international creative communities.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In one incident, his attorney said, Egyptian forces with machine guns stormed into an apartment where Soliman was asleep with his wife and young child.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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The incident marks the first time that Poland engaged assets in its airspace since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The discussions come in the wake of the shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school last month that federal officials have said was carried out by a transgender shooter, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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On the other hand, according to sources familiar with the matter, there is a lack of oversight and accountability regarding areas such as, but not limited to, staff and player recruitment, quality of coaching, day to day operations and long term-planning.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With Cam’ron — attached as an executive producer — the project already promises intrigue.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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There is plenty of intrigue on both sides.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Many of the amendments are likely to spark infighting among Republicans as the party battles over whether to become more isolationist in the face of skepticism about assisting foreign countries.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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Investigators said that parties involved in the argument were leaving the indoor amusement park when Reed assaulted an employee, unprovoked, while making his way outside.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Each cabin also comes complete with high-end amenities like Dyptique Paris bath products, Bose Bluetooth speakers, and Nespresso coffee makers.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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Other items listed in the top 20 product groups responsible for injuries included exercise equipment, cans, basketballs, ladders, desks, rugs and bathtubs.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affair. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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