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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 Venus is the planet of love, affection, sensuality, romance and money. Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025 Also, their mutual affection didn’t always arrive at the same time for each of them. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025 The Prince and Princess of Wales rarely share public displays of affection, making Porteous' cozy close-up a standout photo moment. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 Goodall's research described, for the first time, chimpanzees's complex social relationships and other supposedly human behaviors like affection. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
  • Her love for journalism began with taking freelance sports photos for her local newspaper, The Fulton Sun, during high school, and her involvement with multiple school publications.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Her love of fitness and good eating habits, along with evolving as a person, has helped Maya Madsen find success.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, disease and human activity, such as pollution, have severely degraded Florida's reefs, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In the series, Marie, an ambitious young woman of minor nobility, learns that her lung disease is terminal.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As such, more will be required than a World Cup ticket, particularly because physical tickets are vulnerable to counterfeiting, while electronic devices, which may ordinarily be a way to show authentic tickets, are usually forbidden in consular buildings where interviews take place.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Early on, astronomers were able to determine with a high degree of certainty that the object is a comet, but work has continued to get a better idea of its size and phyisical characteristics.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Each house will be defined by a sign with certain characteristics that will map out your life.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Amorim may turn the rising tide; a Premier League wins list which only includes six of the current top-flight teams may quickly expand; a playing system currently receiving devotion without much sign of deserving it may soon bear fruit.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • She was asked to write about her devotion to Jesus, and her works were published after her death.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Timely treatment of acute illnesses and consistent management of chronic conditions or special needs are also vital to prevent deterioration and long-term consequences into adulthood.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • LaCombe, who played forward in his youth, has shown great improvement in his own end but still has the offensive inclinations to be a point producer.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Redford also shared that despite his inclination to public service, his ambitions were not political.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Ndiaye, stationed on the right, had more space to conjure the game-winning moment of quality.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affection

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