1
as in love
a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone
an elderly couple showing their affection for each other by little acts of kindness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
born with a heart affection that later caused him problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devices
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
I'm rooting for the Cubs—just my natural affection for the underdog, I guess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
religion, of one kind or another, is an affection common to every society known to have existed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affection
From there, the couple wasted no time showing each other affection on and offline.
—
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The woman also said the teacher and her significant other had displayed public affection with each other in front of the students.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
Weiner has a clear affection for music, and a strong enough sense of the currents undergirding the business — at least, in the early 2000s.
—Caryn Ganz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Either way, to compare the outpouring of affection which accompanied his exit to what might happen to Alexander-Arnold when Liverpool wrap up this season at home against Crystal Palace on May 25 is short-sighted.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affection
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The woman also said the teacher and her significant other had displayed public affection with each other in front of the students.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
Weiner has a clear affection for music, and a strong enough sense of the currents undergirding the business — at least, in the early 2000s.
—Caryn Ganz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Either way, to compare the outpouring of affection which accompanied his exit to what might happen to Alexander-Arnold when Liverpool wrap up this season at home against Crystal Palace on May 25 is short-sighted.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
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For nearly four years, a dog named Shawn has been patiently waiting for a second chance at love—and a home to call his own.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
In this advice column, Goth Shakira holds court in a starry place to answer your heart’s questions about love.—
Goth Shakira,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, in the U.S., the CDC has concluded there is no evidence that pesticides are effective in preventing these diseases and does not recommend this practice.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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The Harmattan facilitates the spread of diseases, such as influenza.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
-
Both dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, which are part of the same chemical group, have overlapping characteristics, which is why the results can’t definitively differentiate between the two molecules, but future observations might, the study authors said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
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This is highly specific work that depends on each plantation's unique characteristics, including location, soil type, and coffee variety.—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
American Idol leaned into the Easter Sunday (April 20) holiday with a three-hour episode in which this season’s top 20 sang anthems of faith and devotion, with one contestant turning heads thanks to his original song dedicated to a lost friend.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Today By Paulina Berges Another theme becomes clear in this survey of Sherald’s work: the artist’s devotion to capturing the joys of the Black American experience.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Modern medicine’s first attempt to cure psychiatric illness through surgery may be traced back to the late 19th century, when Gottlieb Burckhardt, a Swiss psychiatrist, removed tissue from the cerebral cortex in a half-dozen patients.—
Frieda Klotz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The unusual trajectory aligned the Falcon 9 with a perfectly polar orbit at an inclination of 90 degrees to the equator, bringing the four-person crew directly over the North or South Pole every 45 minutes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 Apr. 2025
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And grant funding has become less reliable as state governments face their own financial challenges while the Trump administration has shown little inclination to aid transit systems.—
Soumya Karlamangla,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For example, a plant may attract the same pests or wind pollination can impact the quality of differing varieties of the same plant.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2025
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Rumored to be a favorite among celebrity amber lovers like Billie Eilish and Kristin Bell, the long-lasting oil takes on a slightly different quality depending on who wears it.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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