1
as in passions
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 diseases
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
3
as in inclinations
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 characteristics
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 affections
Overall, Venus in Libra will be a whimsical time to embrace our affections and aspirations for a select group of special people or one individual in particular.
—
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025
Macken played Davis Collins, a rancher who served as a rival to Josh Duhamel’s Staten Kirkland — and also competed with Staten for the affections of Minka Kelly’s Quinn O’Grady.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
Venus in Virgo’s affections are expressed through thoughtful acts and attention to details — proving devotion through consistency.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The bonds in Task are between men and other men, whether the backdrop is a barroom or a church; the loyalties, power structures, rivalries, and affections are all patriarchal.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
And in the very final paragraph of Mansfield Park, the object of Fanny’s affections is not a person so much as a property.
—Lucy Worsley
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
The new film from the husband-and-lesbian-wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke features Margaret Qualley playing gay (again) as the titular detective Honey, with Aubrey Plaza co-starring as a gruff cop who is the object of her affections.
—James Factora, Them., 21 Aug. 2025
He was considered a front runner during the season for Windey’s affections, however, things didn't work out.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Yes, a 41-year-old LeBron James might be available, but this is nothing like when Riley went to market in 2010 with a 25-year-old LeBron James as the object of his affections.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025
Macken played Davis Collins, a rancher who served as a rival to Josh Duhamel’s Staten Kirkland — and also competed with Staten for the affections of Minka Kelly’s Quinn O’Grady.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
Venus in Virgo’s affections are expressed through thoughtful acts and attention to details — proving devotion through consistency.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The bonds in Task are between men and other men, whether the backdrop is a barroom or a church; the loyalties, power structures, rivalries, and affections are all patriarchal.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
And in the very final paragraph of Mansfield Park, the object of Fanny’s affections is not a person so much as a property.
—Lucy Worsley
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
The new film from the husband-and-lesbian-wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke features Margaret Qualley playing gay (again) as the titular detective Honey, with Aubrey Plaza co-starring as a gruff cop who is the object of her affections.
—James Factora, Them., 21 Aug. 2025
He was considered a front runner during the season for Windey’s affections, however, things didn't work out.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Yes, a 41-year-old LeBron James might be available, but this is nothing like when Riley went to market in 2010 with a 25-year-old LeBron James as the object of his affections.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affections
Noun
-
The Duchess of Sussex's newest wine joins As ever's collection of shelf-stable food products including fruit preserves, flower sprinkles and baking mixes, connecting to her passions for cooking and entertaining as seen on her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Much like how Hailey and Justin Bieber dress, there is something charming about opposing couple style, and allowing each other to follow their individual tastes and passions, without blending into one bland unit.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The ticks can transmit diseases such as ehrlichiosis and bourbon virus, both of which can also be transmitted by the Lone Star tick, according to the press release.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Oct. 2025
-
University of Saskatchewan scientists developed a 3D lung tissue model to provide a better environment for studying medicines and diseases like tuberculosis, COVID-19, asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 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
-
While the corrupt scheme was well documented journalistically and much of the evidence is indicative, ultimately Argentina's Judiciary followed its political inclinations all the way to the top.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But a new paper by a group of economists who analyzed crypto wallets sheds light on some common characteristics and overall spending.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Each format and geographic origin has its own unique characteristics.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Guard Mekhi Becton has played just 51 percent of the offensive snaps for various ailments.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Currently, people of African decent comprise 2% or less of the global genomic data — information that is essential to understanding risks of certain diseases and other ailments and is key to crafting effective treatments and preventative measures.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
King said he was inspired in part by Rader’s arrest, more specifically, by his ability to keep his murderous tendencies completely unknown to the rest of his family.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
-
These tendencies are most consequential in the kidnapping scene, a gnarled set piece that, in its planning and execution, seems to defy even dream logic.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The same can be said about two qualities of the demons that overtake the island and possess the characters' bodies in the film.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The future belongs to those who combine technological fluency with creativity, discernment, and leadership—the qualities that machines still struggle to replicate.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The foundation helps families whose children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
According to the Florida Department of Health, vibrio is annually blamed for dozens of illnesses - 27 statewide in 2025, along with five deaths.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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