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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of affections
That’s because his job is to understand the thought processes, emotions, and affections of Japanese and Americans alike.
—
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Alienation of affections was largely recognized in the 1800s as a tort for when a female spouse was whisked away from her husband by a third party.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
But anyone willing to consider the thicket of fears, affections and recriminations that grows through the cracks of a long relationship will find in these pages an almost unbearable tenderness.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Lucy is crazy about him, but Schroeder has no interest in her affections.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
And his kids aren't the only ones receiving his affections, Rocky said.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Elan Mastai, who wrote What If, has heard that Reiner was very touched that the film wore its affections for his work on its sleeve.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Lea Myren stars as Elvira, who finds herself in competition with her stepsister Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) for the affections of Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
However, parasocial relationships can take a bizarre or even ominous turn when the object of one’s affections is a chatbot.
—Roger J. Kreuz, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Alienation of affections was largely recognized in the 1800s as a tort for when a female spouse was whisked away from her husband by a third party.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
But anyone willing to consider the thicket of fears, affections and recriminations that grows through the cracks of a long relationship will find in these pages an almost unbearable tenderness.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Lucy is crazy about him, but Schroeder has no interest in her affections.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
And his kids aren't the only ones receiving his affections, Rocky said.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Elan Mastai, who wrote What If, has heard that Reiner was very touched that the film wore its affections for his work on its sleeve.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Lea Myren stars as Elvira, who finds herself in competition with her stepsister Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) for the affections of Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
However, parasocial relationships can take a bizarre or even ominous turn when the object of one’s affections is a chatbot.
—Roger J. Kreuz, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affections
Noun
-
The searchable database provides users a platform to discover groups and organizations that align with the user’s interests and passions.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
Now those passions are driving where people book their vacations.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Snakes help control rodent and insect populations, reducing the spread of diseases like Lyme disease.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Instead of a withering blast that annihilates you instantly, the real killer would be a highly elevated risk of cancer and degenerative diseases over time.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Among the more unusual succulents Kent has are crested plants — mutations of plants that give them unusual shapes and other characteristics.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
That realization has led some investors to examine assets with different characteristics.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The Valkyries are going into Sunday’s home opener against Phoenix with injuries to Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini – both nursing ailments from Friday’s game – and guard Justė Jocytė still fulfilling her overseas commitment before joining the team.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
The Hornets were down to seven healthy players for the final stretch of games, including Williams with an assortment of ailments.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Americans of all political tendencies increasingly favor sweeping, disorienting political change.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
-
With the Jax-sized hole in the cast, the narcissistic tendencies in the other men become more glaring, showing how covert mistreatment can slowly chip away at a relationship.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
These are the same issues being raised across rural Texas as the state’s business-friendly environment and lack of regulations — the same qualities that attract many to country life — fuel an expansion of server farms from the Panhandle to the Valley.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
As the name indicates, it was intended for wear on boats but wound up being widely adopted by skaters because its deck-gripping qualities proved just as useful for sticking to boards.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
What illnesses are currently trending in Boise?—
Hali Smith
May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
-
According to Mitchell, the San Marcos Police Department is investigating the students’ illnesses, and the staff member who sold the cookies to students was removed from the district.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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