as in tendencies
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
always had an affinity for nurturing living things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 affinities
The driving rock guitars and layered vocal textures recall TV on the Radio’s experimentation, and Galanin shares certain vocal and political affinities with Moses Sumney.
—
Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
China’s global influence is further constrained by weak cultural affinities with other countries.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
If your affinities lean toward boutique accommodation, this darling 12-room property occupying an 1889-era school is just the ticket.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Of course, Matthieu brings his own set of creative affinities, which are new and incredibly enriching, but not at the expense of existing relationships.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
China’s global influence is further constrained by weak cultural affinities with other countries.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
If your affinities lean toward boutique accommodation, this darling 12-room property occupying an 1889-era school is just the ticket.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Of course, Matthieu brings his own set of creative affinities, which are new and incredibly enriching, but not at the expense of existing relationships.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affinities
Noun
-
In particular, the anything-goes attitude of DIY venue ACS, where Han has performed with local cybergrind artist Supermotel K and Japan’s BBBBBB, has incubated his digital hardcore tendencies.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The winter market was not going to be as turbulent as the summer 2025 one had been, but Villa’s tendencies under manager Unai Emery always carry intrigue.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 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
-
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.—
GRACIA LIU-FARRER,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Nov. 2025
-
More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Marie Sapirie,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affinities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affinities. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
