Synonym Chooser

How does the noun affinity differ from other similar words?

The words attraction and sympathy are common synonyms of affinity. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When might attraction be a better fit than affinity?

While in some cases nearly identical to affinity, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

When would sympathy be a good substitute for affinity?

In some situations, the words sympathy and affinity are roughly equivalent. However, sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

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 affinity Further discontentment also stemmed from Fennell’s general spearheading of the project, given her affinity for the salacious and the fact that the pic is not billed as a modern retelling. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 These aren't just impressions—they're experiences that drive immediate conversion while building brand affinity. Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Kolek relied on his affinity for groundballs to stymie the Tigers’ offense. Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025 Even if this loyalist wasn’t able to articulate the ideological connection, the broader Protestant/unionist/loyalist community does have an affinity for Israel and Israelis; both peoples, from their vantage point, see themselves as minority communities under siege, victims of terror. Philip Metres august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affinity
Noun
  • Herbert’s top-10 aptitude would’ve exposed Olave to fewer dangerous hits.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At first glance, Walden’s paintings of craftsmanship, collage, and kinship evoke the work of the filmmaker Barbara Hammer.
    Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Writers watching felt some kinship.
    Thomas Swick September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nowadays people see small images on their phones so there’s a tendency to crop in on everything.
    Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With that said, his biggest flaw remains a tendency to sail throws high from the pocket.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To this end, the Kansas City Election Board has mostly relied on existing relationships with schools, churches and libraries.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Centene and the Neidorffs’ contributions didn’t stop in 2019, nor did their business relationship with the state of California.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kinloch noted the Legislature has shown no inclination to advance bills that create arena taxes.
    Malachi Barrett, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Vesting oversight primarily in defense departments and ministries is a traditional inclination.
    GARY ROUGHEAD, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In contrast, the cerebellum showed no such association.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Bieger and a spokesperson for the alumni association did not immediately return Deadline’s requests for comment.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • New downloads of Weather are no longer possible on Wear OS 6 devices from third-party manufacturers, such as Samsung, OnePlus and others.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Why Healthcare Needs a Data Overhaul Healthcare systems are generating more data than ever before, from electronic health records and lab results to imaging scans, insurance claims, and even patient updates from wearable devices.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For industries that involve high-consideration, expensive purchases like buying a car, finding the right balance between automation and human connection is critical.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Affinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affinity. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affinity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!