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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 From there, the couple wasted no time showing each other affection on and offline. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The woman also said the teacher and her significant other had displayed public affection with each other in front of the students. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025 Weiner has a clear affection for music, and a strong enough sense of the currents undergirding the business — at least, in the early 2000s. Caryn Ganz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Either way, to compare the outpouring of affection which accompanied his exit to what might happen to Alexander-Arnold when Liverpool wrap up this season at home against Crystal Palace on May 25 is short-sighted. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
  • For nearly four years, a dog named Shawn has been patiently waiting for a second chance at love—and a home to call his own.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In this advice column, Goth Shakira holds court in a starry place to answer your heart’s questions about love.
    Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • However, in the U.S., the CDC has concluded there is no evidence that pesticides are effective in preventing these diseases and does not recommend this practice.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Harmattan facilitates the spread of diseases, such as influenza.
    Christophe Lavaysse, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 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
  • This is highly specific work that depends on each plantation's unique characteristics, including location, soil type, and coffee variety.
    Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Both dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, which are part of the same chemical group, have overlapping characteristics, which is why the results can’t definitively differentiate between the two molecules, but future observations might, the study authors said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Mahler died in 1911 from illnesses exacerbated by a heart condition, at just 50.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Tocchet also announced Sunday that goaltender Thatcher Demko would be shut down for the season due to illness, which necessitated an emergency call-up of Nikita Tolopilo on Saturday.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Rumored to be a favorite among celebrity amber lovers like Billie Eilish and Kristin Bell, the long-lasting oil takes on a slightly different quality depending on who wears it.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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