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
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
-
Libra's 2026 love horoscope Indulge your passions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Successful founders prioritize what feels easy, light, and aligned with their personality and passions.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The development of antibiotics, vaccines and advanced surgical techniques has virtually eliminated many diseases that once killed thousands annually.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
McLaughlin said the company chose to focus on these diseases partly because of their outsized impact on patients.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The trick is to select a paint color that is calming and neutral enough so as not to be too visually demanding, while also speaking to your personal style and color inclinations.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those characteristics were likely part of Hamid’s makeup early on.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
What survivors have in common Those who survive the first two years and eventually thrive tend to share a few characteristics.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Galen concocted medicines that seem strange to modern ears, such as treating ailments like inflammation with feces sprinkled with thyme to mask the odor.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In recent years Foege battled multiple health ailments, including cancer, congestive heart failure, gout, and a terrible case of shingles.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What Don’t Be Dumb does effectively, however, is reestablish Rocky’s auteur-ish tendencies for 2020s hip-hop, drawing throughline between his mixtape days and the raucous, rage-minded sounds that course through much of contemporary rap.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
-
To tap into each other’s tendencies, to establish chemistry as pick-and-roll partners.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
None of this would matter if not for the feeling that something is being lost in this process — top-level K-pop sacrificing its signature qualities for the sake of broader acceptance.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2026
-
That’s on top of the same blend of delightful qualities as its less-powerful siblings and still can be had well-equipped for under $150,000.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Washing bananas helps prevent fruit flies and reduces your risk of any illnesses.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
No illnesses linked to products in this recall have been reported to date.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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