attraction

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun attraction differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and sympathy are common synonyms of attraction. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

When is affinity a more appropriate choice than attraction?

While the synonyms affinity and attraction are close in meaning, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When might sympathy be a better fit than attraction?

The meanings of sympathy and attraction largely overlap; 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 attraction Airboat tour attractions and gift shops dot the highway. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025 Lightning Lane will offer access to 13 Disneyland attractions and nine Disney California Adventure rides after Pirates of the Caribbean leaves the system. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 This confluence of natural, cultural, and culinary attractions drew me to Wisconsin’s Driftless. Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 26 June 2025 Budget-friendly movie houses known as nickelodeons became a favorite attraction for urban dwellers in the first two decades of the 20th century. Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for attraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attraction
magnet
Noun
  • This seems counter-intuitive to me, and will, Majin Bu says, have a knock-on effect in terms of the MagSafe imagery that appears, for example, on a transparent case with MagSafe magnets.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Bob and Nancy have taken the pictures off the walls in Sarah’s apartment, and the magnets off her refrigerator.
    Wolf Blitzer, CNN Money, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attraction. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attraction

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