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
The atmosphere in the house is always quiet, neat and calm — even when the housemates are upset that their crush’s affections are unreturned.
—
Sarah Wang, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
And then there is Gomes, one of very few Wolves players to have retained the affections of supporters during a depressing decline for the club.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The film provides further complexity by not making Bear a sympathetic victim but rather complicit by initially enjoying Nikki’s affections despite their artificial provenance.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
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
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
Sarah Wang, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
And then there is Gomes, one of very few Wolves players to have retained the affections of supporters during a depressing decline for the club.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The film provides further complexity by not making Bear a sympathetic victim but rather complicit by initially enjoying Nikki’s affections despite their artificial provenance.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affections
Noun
-
Fabric has always been one of my biggest passions in my career.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
But when John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Potatoes are highly susceptible to pests like the Colorado potato beetle and diseases like late blight that caused the Irish potato famine.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a stem cell transplant can treat — and sometimes cure — certain blood disorders, cancers and autoimmune diseases by replacing unhealthy stem cells with healthy ones, either from the patient's own bone marrow or donated stem cells from another person.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The ability to create offense individually, put pressure on the rim and set up stationary shooters — as much as such violates Kerr’s inclinations — have become necessary to beat good modern defenses.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
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
Noun
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For decades, scientists debated whether these characteristics were primitive leftovers or later evolutionary reversals and this new research leans toward the first explanation.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Each type of light fixture forms the same general structure, but with individual characteristics informed by the mercurial nature of glass.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Indicators can be so subtle and nonspecific that doctors tend to misattribute them to other, more common, ailments—which can delay diagnosis, sometimes for years.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
-
The rotation has been marvelous from the get-go despite its ailments.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
But over time, these tendencies have taken their toll.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The movie only hints at the underlying social tendencies that a populist exploits.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Benefits of Almonds for Heart Health While combining dark chocolate and almonds has a positive impact on heart health, each food provides distinct cardioprotective qualities that contribute to these benefits.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
-
The juries will hate its repetitive qualities, but the public will embrace its deep, profound, abiding grooviness.—
Glen Weldon,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Sullivan battled multiple illnesses while her body struggled to protect itself.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
Nurse practitioners diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications and help patients manage both short-term and chronic health conditions.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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