1
as in romances
also affaires
a brief romantic relationship
an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in events
a social gathering
the annual country club dance is a really fancy affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in productions
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in things
something that happens
the whole affair from start to finish took a total of 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in matters
something to be dealt with
it's none of your affair whom I'm going out with tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affairs
Any political commentary was mostly relegated to red carpet interviews ahead of the ceremony, where both nominee Mark Ruffalo, winner Jean Smart and presenter Wanda Sykes took the opportunity to share their thoughts on current affairs.
—
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
There have been some brief historical exceptions to that state of affairs; the ascendancy of higher education in the years after World War II gave writers a home in the academy that was largely nonexistent before.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Xi will instead continue to paint himself as the more responsible force in regional affairs.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Victor Galindo and deputies Malik Jackson, Allen Lowe and Ruben Ramos — would later be released by the sheriff’s internal affairs unit.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
In her interview with Gallico, the Princess recalled talking with the late President about the Red Cross, international affairs, and fashion.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Allison Hudson, the police spokesperson, declined to answer a list of questions about Castro’s departure, saying the internal affairs investigation would continue under state rules governing officers who leave while under investigation.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
While Natanya wears her admiration for big-budget affairs like Janet Jackson’s All For You on her sleeve, her vocal production still maintains traces of the more languid bedroom soul popularized by the likes of Steve Lacy and monte booker.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
Some garden parties are seated affairs with name tags, others are more casual, which can help decide on your table setting vibe.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
There have been some brief historical exceptions to that state of affairs; the ascendancy of higher education in the years after World War II gave writers a home in the academy that was largely nonexistent before.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Xi will instead continue to paint himself as the more responsible force in regional affairs.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Victor Galindo and deputies Malik Jackson, Allen Lowe and Ruben Ramos — would later be released by the sheriff’s internal affairs unit.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
In her interview with Gallico, the Princess recalled talking with the late President about the Red Cross, international affairs, and fashion.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Allison Hudson, the police spokesperson, declined to answer a list of questions about Castro’s departure, saying the internal affairs investigation would continue under state rules governing officers who leave while under investigation.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
While Natanya wears her admiration for big-budget affairs like Janet Jackson’s All For You on her sleeve, her vocal production still maintains traces of the more languid bedroom soul popularized by the likes of Steve Lacy and monte booker.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
Some garden parties are seated affairs with name tags, others are more casual, which can help decide on your table setting vibe.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affairs
Noun
-
Neither Styles, 31, nor Kravitz, 37, have confirmed their relationship status, and the artist is known to keep his romances private.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
-
And a lot of them, romances included, don’t even go that far.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And in between, there are ample other events, tournaments and series that fashion should be watching.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
-
And events are designed around physiological reality.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Marvel has publicly acknowledged that the studio's productions often scan actors' bodies, though the scans are generally only used for visual effects purposes rather than storing actors' likenesses for future projects.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mediawan will also collaborate with BYD on content in various ways, ranging from brand integration in select titles across Mediawan Group productions.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, Chuba Hubbard’s calf injury in the second quarter of the season opened things up for Dowdle to emerge.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Jeff Klaiber took those things and molded Lehman into an Olympian, at times pushing boundaries and pushing Lehman to the brink.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Capable would-be leaders explain themselves, especially on matters affecting their constitutional qualifications.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Masoud Pezeshkian was elected president in 2024, promoting a more pragmatic foreign policy, but his powers are limited, and Khamenei calls the shots on all major matters of state.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even when insulted or thwarted – by Spanish intrigues on the Florida frontier, by British seizures in the Caribbean, by pamphleteers accusing him of being a monarch in disguise – Washington’s tone remained measured.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
-
At 63 herself, Foster intrigues as well.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
State lawmakers reconvened for the 2026 legislative session with both chambers and both parties focused on cost of living.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
When community members have gone to TCU officials complaining about parties, they’ve often been told TCU can’t control what students do off school property, Williamson said.—
Samuel O'Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The new export controls restrict technologies, chemicals, products, or software that could be used for military purposes, including some rare earth elements.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Lately, however, influencers have begun placing turntables on kitchen and bathroom counters to store items such as coffee bar supplies, skincare products, or as a general catch-all.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affairs. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
