affection

noun

ə-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce affection (audio)
Definition of affectionnext
1
as in love
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disease
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devices
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing I'm rooting for the Cubs—just my natural affection for the underdog, I guess

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in characteristic
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affection distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of affection are emotion, feeling, passion, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of affection?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When is feeling a more appropriate choice than affection?

Although the words feeling and affection have much in common, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

In what contexts can passion take the place of affection?

The meanings of passion and affection largely overlap; however, passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When would sentiment be a good substitute for affection?

In some situations, the words sentiment and affection are roughly equivalent. However, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 affection This involves small gestures like humor, affection or acknowledging their feelings to de-escalate tension. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The worst of its choices is rekindling the romantic triangle between Tancredi, Concetta, and Angelica, inventing second and third acts to a transfer of affection that’s handled in a few pages in the novel. — Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025 On Tuesday's episode of the Good Hang podcast, Jones reflected on her brief stint on The Office as Karen Filippelli, an employee of the rival Dunder Mifflin Stamford branch and also rival to Jenna Fischer's Pam for the affection of John Krasinski's Jim. — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Jayson celebrates Kayden with just as much love and affection. — Nasha Smith, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
  1. love
  2. disease
  3. devices
  4. characteristic
  5. devotion
  6. illness
  7. inclination
  8. quality
Noun
  • Post Malone and his new love have a taste for the finer things.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Yet, despite the astonishing numbers, these findings make perfect sense in the broader context of research on love, attachment and breakups.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of love
Noun
  • The non-profit organization Wombat Rescue suggested the baby could have a skin disease, urging Jones to reveal where the video was filmed.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Williams was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 2018, though concerns over her health arose in February 2024 when she was reportedly diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of devices
Noun
  • Overall, the analyst is bullish on EPD stock and views it as a core master limited partnership holding, having both offensive and defensive characteristics.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These are clones of individual grape varieties that have been bred to ensure certain characteristics, such as resistance to specific diseases.
    — Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • The first 20 years of my career were at Houston Methodist Hospital (HMH), and my devotion was to the practice of medicine, caring for the critically ill and provide lifesaving opportunity to those in need of cardiac transplantation.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • But Frank's loyalty to the fans bred a reciprocal devotion that could turn dark.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of devotion
Noun
  • Mahler died in 1911 from illnesses exacerbated by a heart condition, at just 50.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With Howe kept in hospital over the weekend with an unspecified illness, Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones, his assistant head coaches, led the team.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of illness
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • The scientists edited mouse genes related to their hair and fat metabolism — two qualities woolly mammoths needed to survive in their Arctic habitat.
    — Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Erick Fedde hasn't been much of a quality option either.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of quality

Browse Nearby Words

affecting
affection
affectionate
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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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