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
-
But what about all the millennials who turned their passions into their careers, the filmmakers and journalists and art critics and food writers?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Each item functioned as both artifact and anecdote, offering insight into a man whose passions extended far beyond music.—
Preezy Brown,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Combination vaccines are single injections that protect against multiple, preventable diseases and have been used since the 1940s.—
Kar-Hai Chu,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Through her work at Danielle Ashley Group, Alston in 2008 co-founded First Ladies Health Initiative, a far-reaching effort that seeks to destigmatize screening for various diseases and illnesses in underserved Black and Hispanic communities.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Even in the present tense, the characters express no political opinions, taste in movies and music, hobbies—or backstories that shape such inclinations.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The unusual characteristics of dark matter have prompted scientists to search beyond the standard model of particle physics for particles that could comprise it.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This is particularly important for individuals who have concealed their characteristics and do not meet the autism or ADHD descriptions.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Autoimmune diseases—a broad and complex category of ailments including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes—have long puzzled researchers.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Mendoza envisions Mauricio providing infield depth as Polanco and Baty (jammed thumb) deal with ailments.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Some have been critical of Chiu’s crowd-pleasing tendencies.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Manyo Club Japan’s onsen—natural hot spring baths—are famous for their therapeutic qualities.—
Kim Kay,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Philip told Fox News Digital that In-N-Out's in-person experience, atmosphere and fresh food are all qualities that delivery services might compromise.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Finally, smoking deaths may seem to be unremarkable because some of the illnesses that cigarette smoking causes, such as heart disease or cancer, are commonplace.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This week, on the mayor’s 97th day in office, a massive crowd gathered in the lobby of the busy Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, watching as Mamdani announced the city would start sending some people with serious medical illnesses to the hospital from the city’s notorious Riker’s Island jail.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affections. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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