Synonym Chooser

How does the noun affectation contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of affectation are airs, air, mannerism, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When would air be a good substitute for affectation?

While the synonyms air and affectation are close in meaning, air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

When is it sensible to use airs instead of affectation?

The meanings of airs and affectation largely overlap; however, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When can mannerism be used instead of affectation?

Although the words mannerism and affectation have much in common, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When is pose a more appropriate choice than affectation?

The synonyms pose and affectation are sometimes interchangeable, but pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

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 affectation In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye. Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby. Meghan McCarron, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 That was just a bizarre affectation, a strange impression of a dancing horse that offered basically nothing constructive, and ultimately made his eventual miss look five times as stupid. Nick Miller, The Athletic, 9 July 2024 She’s doe-eyed and eager and preening with Grande adopting a mid-century affectation, à la Gloria Grahame in Oklahoma! Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for affectation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation
Noun
  • The restaurant's elegant interior, with its high ceilings and classic décor, creates an atmosphere of refined sophistication without pretension—the ideal setting to contemplate the driving adventures that await.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Harrington recently appeared on the Cookie Jar Golf podcast and opened up about how the then-21-year-old McIlroy shattered his pretensions as a heavy favorite to win the title.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.
    Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Trump Administration has significantly weakened America's national security infrastructure under the false pretense of government efficiency, by reducing staffing at the Departments of Defense and State, FBI, CIA, USAID, and others despite increasing global threats.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The Trump administration’s harrowing detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil — and the broader repression of student activism on campuses across the country — is being sold to the public under the false pretense of ensuring Jewish safety.
    Adam Jaffe, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Although technology is a ubiquitous part of this production, the piece has practically nothing to say about it, other than acknowledging its mere existence — technology is related to vanity, and a front-facing selfie camera is like a mirror.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That has real implications for brand deals and CPM negotiations — but risks creating a new layer of noise and vanity metrics in the creator economy.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Both children hold disdain for their parents' criminal activity, but team up to delve into their world when their brothers encounter one another, leaving those around them with more questions than answers.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Dropkick Murphys, who have been vocal about their disdain for President Donald Trump, also called out another fan sporting a MAGA hat at a show in Clearwater, Florida on March 8, according to a fan video shared by the band.
    Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Without a more concerted attempt to define and demonstrate ethical behavior, the romanticization of fintech’s alleged moral superiority is going to backfire.
    Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The 1960s ushered in debates about the constitutionality of the federal death penalty, due, in part, to a postwar sense of moral superiority.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Following the auto tariffs, J.P. Morgan raised its core PCE inflation estimate this year to 3.1% from 2.8%.
    Lucia Mutikani, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Earlier this year, the Fed paused its series of rate cuts given sticky inflation data that pointed to a stall-out in its battle against price hikes.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Higher education takes pride in its ability to change lives and provide future financial stability for nearly all who come through our doors.
    Karen Weaver, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • For Kuyt, there is a deep sense of pride about Slot’s impact at Anfield.
    James Pearce, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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