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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
  • His most accessible film, Ali is a moving masterpiece about a widow (Brigitte Mira) who falls in love with a young Arab man (El Hedi ben Salem).
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 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
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • American Idol leaned into the Easter Sunday (April 20) holiday with a three-hour episode in which this season’s top 20 sang anthems of faith and devotion, with one contestant turning heads thanks to his original song dedicated to a lost friend.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Today By Paulina Berges Another theme becomes clear in this survey of Sherald’s work: the artist’s devotion to capturing the joys of the Black American experience.
    Juliana Ukiomogbe, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • During its workshops, outdoor workers learn what heat illness is and its symptoms as well as how to help co-workers suffering from extreme heat.
    Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Death may force the succession of leadership, but so might incapacitation due to injury or illness, a desire to pursue other interests or even a spouse insisting on a move to a warmer climate.
    Gerry Spitzer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The unusual trajectory aligned the Falcon 9 with a perfectly polar orbit at an inclination of 90 degrees to the equator, bringing the four-person crew directly over the North or South Pole every 45 minutes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And grant funding has become less reliable as state governments face their own financial challenges while the Trump administration has shown little inclination to aid transit systems.
    Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For example, a plant may attract the same pests or wind pollination can impact the quality of differing varieties of the same plant.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
  • What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: 1) Must be willing to listen to the community and take the time to build rapport and trust.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 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 29 Apr. 2025.

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