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Synonym Chooser

How is the word affection distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of affection are emotion, feeling, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of affection?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When is feeling a more appropriate choice than affection?

Although the words feeling and affection have much in common, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

In what contexts can passion take the place of affection?

The meanings of passion and affection largely overlap; however, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When would sentiment be a good substitute for affection?

In some situations, the words sentiment and affection are roughly equivalent. However, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 affection Otherwise, Bezos never interfered in newsroom decision-making, a distance that won him the affection of his paper’s journalists. Clare Malone, New Yorker, 12 May 2025 Notably, maternal affection did not significantly influence two of the Big Five traits—extraversion and neuroticism—suggesting that other factors such as peer relationships or genetic influences, may play a larger role in shaping these characteristics. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025 This parental affection helped Green out of some jams. Air Mail, 3 May 2025 The footage showing London's hilarious display of affection at the sight of his owner has warmed the hearts of countless viewers online, reminding many of the unmatched bond between dogs and their humans. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
  • Sunrise Film has acquired dark comedy love story Sunlight for the U.S. and is preparing a theatrical reelase.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 May 2025
  • Several stars voiced their love for Natasha and fam, including Andy Cohen, Julianne Moore, Richard E. Grant, and Amy Sedaris, who all left various heart emojis in comments on the post.
    EW.com, EW.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • Minnesota newborns will soon be screened for a disease that can lead to delays in developmental milestones, regression of skills, seizures and in some cases death.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Titan shows all the characteristics of a planet – including rivers, lakes, clouds, rain and even a salty subsurface ocean.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Rebecca’s wholehearted characteristics and attributes connect her to the Water sign Pisces, who takes on problems with others due to their absorbance and empathetic nature.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Medieval England was incredibly tied to religious devotion.
    Charles Towers-Clark, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The actor enhances his character’s long inner monologues with his eloquent ice-blue eyes, which can convey emotions ranging from disdain and discomfiture to despair and devotion.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The Twins got there by beating the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Saturday night at Target Field, getting a strong performance from Joe Ryan — who dealt with a violent illness earlier this week.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
  • His ultimate goal: save tens of millions of lives, especially those of women and children suffering from HIV, malaria and other deadly illnesses.
    Jennifer Earl, CBS News, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Analysts also see an inclination among some officials to keep certain communications private, not just from spies but also from government recordkeeping.
    Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
  • Conveniently dovetailing into some of the notions offered this weekend to Trump at Mar-a-Lago by Oscar-winner Voight and his team, Newsom’s pitch of a national tax incentive for big screen and small screen production is clearly aimed to appeal to Trump’s bigger-is-better inclinations.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
  • The moss brings a splash of color that maintains a sophisticated and minimalist quality, while keeping a space from becoming whitewashed.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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