Synonym Chooser

How does the noun affectation contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of affectation are airs, air, mannerism, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When would air be a good substitute for affectation?

While the synonyms air and affectation are close in meaning, air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

When is it sensible to use airs instead of affectation?

The meanings of airs and affectation largely overlap; however, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When can mannerism be used instead of affectation?

Although the words mannerism and affectation have much in common, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When is pose a more appropriate choice than affectation?

The synonyms pose and affectation are sometimes interchangeable, but pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

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 affectation Ivy-as-Marilyn is an inconsiderate, amphetamine guzzling faux-intellectual whose devotion to the acting craft is presented as a vainglorious affectation. Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation. The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society. Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affectation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation
Noun
  • The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.
    Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.
    Christian Josi, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
  • These traits do not always show up as arrogance.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But not everyone accepts that pretense.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
  • But the Jiménezes’ work does not carry the pretense of purity.
    Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • On the surface, vanity PR may look good.
    Jenna Guarneri, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The report suggests there could also be other operating issues with the vehicle's DC/AC inverter, glove box light, vanity lights, dome lamps, alarm portion of the horn, rear defrost, or the USB charger.
    James Powel, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • No doubt my disdain for Labor Day has everything to do with its unfortunate spot on the calendar.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Knowing of my disdain for these people — and fear of them — a friend recently mentioned Austin McChord to me.
    Christian Josi, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Early birds have long basked in the glory of health superiority, sometimes even tinged with a hit of moral righteousness.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For DeMuth, the goal is not only technical superiority but national strategic advantage.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Talking to a narcissist—whose behavior is characterized by grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy—is the ultimate example of navigating conversational landmines.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
  • For a filmmaker once renowned for his grandiosity, the director has always been surprisingly self-deprecating and conflicted in his own assessments of his work.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But deals of that type became more scarce as the Premier League’s soaring wealth caused drastic inflation in the transfer market.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And while winners may be tempted to choose the annuity for an initial lower tax bite and to get more Powerball money, inflation and unforeseeable tax changes over 29 years could eat away at its value.
    George Petras, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affectation

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