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
  • There's no pretension here: San Pancho's beach is dotted with boutique hotels and homes for rent and an array of restaurants, mostly of the no-frills and unassuming variety.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.
    Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Blenkin told Variety in September 2025 that his character's laughter comes from arrogance.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Nishijima brings his characteristic intensity to Kenji, a man whose academic arrogance masks deep insecurity and desperation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But at least those entities are populated by people who are curious about art and culture—these OFFLINE events have no such pretense.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Gregory and Gerner were arrested and charged with felony counts of injury to an energy facility and felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense, deputies said.
    Paloma Chavez, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Upstairs, the home boasts four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, including the primary bedroom and bathroom with double vanities, a soaking tub and large shower.
    Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, sports teams are the ultimate vanity asset – something billionaires love to own without too much concern about possible operating losses (which likely just offset taxable gains elsewhere).
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Posts garnered thousands of replies from people calling for her job, insulting her appearance and using her post as a reason for a general disdain of left-leaning people.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Kershaw’s competitive spirit reaches entirely new levels of intensity as his demeanor is fueled by a disdain for losing.
    Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With over 600 DEXs now operating according to Grvt’s estimates, pure technological superiority or lower fees no longer guarantee success.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Not to mention the moral superiority gap it’s widened in conversations between the thin and the not thin enough.
    Allison Lax, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Regardless, the president clearly reveled in his proximity to grandiosity.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
  • But her best work is in reaction to McKellen’s grandiosity.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said in a speech to business leaders on Tuesday that the central bank lowered interest rates last week due to weakness in the labor market was outweighing concerns about stubborn inflation.
    Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
  • In 2006, the median price of a single-family home was $221,923, about $343,806 in 2024 when adjusted for inflation.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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