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
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
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
The two then face off in a competition to win over the affections of the family, each plotting against the other.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
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
The two then face off in a competition to win over the affections of the family, each plotting against the other.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affections
Noun
-
What are the common passions that matter to us?—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Dangerous and hungry, their weapons and their passions bleed into each other.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Apart from restoring motor function, it could also be used to help restore speech, vision, or even be used to treat debilitating diseases like epilepsy or Parkinson’s.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
And they're already threatened by habitat loss and their own diseases.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is the standard for ramp inclinations that are usable for most people, especially wheelchair users.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The motion to disqualify Robinson, at this point an allegation, touches upon one of the defining characteristics of the Supreme Court — that discussions among judges when deliberating over decisions are confidential.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The film noir tackles the corruptive tendencies of power, with Broderick Crawford as a populist politician who rises up as a Southern governor and wields dangerous influence.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Like most of us, FIG shed its more rebellious tendencies over time.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a certain dignity, rawness, and honesty to her, and those are qualities that make a rare combination.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Still, Martindale pointed to Ricard, a six-time Pro Bowler, as an example of how Harbaugh finds players and develops their best qualities to fit the team.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Experts continue to recommend vaccination as a tactic to prevent viral illnesses and chronic diseases like lung cancer.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The ability to provide something that is close to the real thing will be groundbreaking for families touched by ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Motor Neuron disease and other debilitating illnesses.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
