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 But the difference is RSV’s affinity for the chest. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 4 July 2025 Fentanyl binds to fatty tissue, but the other two drugs tested don't have the same affinity to fatty tissue specifically, Orbach said. Olivia Garrett, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The town’s affinity for generational ownership goes beyond just the Greek population. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 July 2025 The 34-year-old British artist lived in Nashville for shorts stints of time in the 2010s, and his affinity for the city has clearly stuck around. Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for affinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affinity
Noun
  • This combination of process understanding and technical aptitude creates a powerful force for rapid, relevant application development.
    Ed Jennings, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • That his tantalizing talent was matched by a preternatural aptitude.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • By 2001, one research team found that kinship families in at least 26 states could be denied financial support.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
  • There is a sense of kinship as Trump was indicted in 2023 for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Because many young parents grew up at a time when diseases like measles were not common, there can be a tendency to not recognize their seriousness.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • According to this report, such a tendency creates a false sense of immediacy, which can have a negative impact of real social relationships.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Neither was similarity found to be a strong predictor of relationship stability.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • According to the author, Paltrow had doubts about her relationship with Pitt early on.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Our inclination might be to freeze event planning and ride out the storm, but history shows that innovation thrives in adversity.
    Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket arced downrange over the Atlantic Ocean, heading northeast to place its payload into the Kuiper constellation at an inclination of 51.9 degrees to the equator.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Epstein’s association with the rich and famous has garnered great international interest and spun off conspiracy theories, especially among those on the right.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 25 July 2025
  • But Amy’s association with Rachel may have ultimately been her undoing, as other players looked to weaken the Big Brother legend by taking out her closest ally, leading to the 43-year-old insurance agent’s unanimous 13-0 ouster on Thursday’s live eviction episode.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Once paired, those devices can sometimes maintain a connection or reestablish one without your knowledge, increasing the risk of abuse if they're compromised. 5.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • Wallen did his best throughout to nurture the connection he’s been building with his ever-growing fan base this whole time.
    Ed Masley, USA Today, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affinity. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affinity

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