affections

noun

plural of affection
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

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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

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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

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 affections Two brothers fighting over the affections of a woman — or, perhaps in the case of The White Lotus, each other — is a tale as old as time. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026 Then there’s a new character, Gary (Tommy Walker), a potential rival for Denise’s affections in the show’s various worlds. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 July 2026 This sounds like a possible rival for the affections of anyone who loves the sweet-salty flavor of McDonald’s McGriddle breakfast sandwich. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 July 2026 Soprano Michelle Allie Drever sings the title role, while tenor Maxwell Ary is Ruggero, the object of her conflicted affections. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 In any case, as their journey reminds us, someone (or in this case something) needn’t be perfect to be worthy of our affections. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 In Virgo, Venus is sensual but also underrated, often expressing her affections with tact, reliability and acts of service. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 And so Aunt Juana divided her affections between her favorite niece and nephew. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 Progressives see the success of democratic socialist candidates as a recipe to win the affections of voters across the country. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affections
  1. passions
  2. diseases
  3. inclinations
  4. characteristics
  5. ailments
  6. tendencies
  7. qualities
  8. illnesses
Noun
  • What are the micro stories within your target consumer's passions?
    — Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Both women cultivated their own businesses from their passions.
    — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
Definition of passions
Noun
  • And other severe diseases caused by AGEs, like atherosclerosis, will have research priority over cosmetic applications.
    — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Again, this is not to minimize alcohol’s association with diseases such as cancer.
    — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • Half the tracks skate along atop grooves informed by house and UK garage, reflecting Hebden’s clubbiest inclinations as well as his idiosyncratic sound design.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026
  • The solution Ciufolini proposed decades ago while working with physicist John Archibald Wheeler was to use two satellites in supplementary orbits, meaning with orbital inclinations that sum to 180 degrees.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Definition of inclinations
Noun
  • The other examines how climate change altered the characteristics of the event that happened; for example, whether a hurricane produced more rainfall or a heat wave became hotter because the atmosphere has warmed.
    — Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
  • Nicknamed Planet Nine and sometimes more generically called Planet X, its existence is hotly debated, but most predictions of this putative world’s characteristics put it squarely in the range of LSST’s capabilities to spot.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of characteristics
Noun
  • In addition to common ailments, travel insurance medical coverage typically includes injuries sustained from being an innocent bystander in civil unrest.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 22 July 2026
  • In another case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions.
    — Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 16 July 2026
Definition of ailments
Noun
  • Before the focus shifts back to club football, allow The Athletic to walk through some of the data quirks and tactical tendencies from this year’s World Cup.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The design incorporates materials common to the region, such as brick, while honoring the mid-mod tendencies towards clean lines, picture views, and natural light.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026
Definition of tendencies
Noun
  • Three entry points Visitors have three choices to enter the Okefenokee — the east, west and north entrances, each with its own public amenities and natural qualities.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • The entire installment is structured as different types of Emmys bait, with the patriarch and his crew becoming increasingly desperate to rip off the qualities of award-winning shows and finally bring home the coveted gold.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of qualities
Noun
  • Although the first illnesses began in mid-May, the CDC didn’t notify the public or healthcare providers about the outbreak until July 14.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • While multiple cooling towers have tested positive for Legionella bacteria, investigators have not determined which, if any, are responsible for the illnesses.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of illnesses

Browse Nearby Words

affectionate
affections
affectless
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Cite this Entry

“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of affections for Spanish Speakers

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