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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 grand romantic gestures to small thoughtful gifts, Valentine’s Day offers endless possibilities for people to express affection. Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 Not everyone likes public displays of love and affection, but that doesn’t diminish their desire for romance. Jill Newman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 Express thoughts, feelings, ideas and other words of love and affection in this fill-in-the-blank diary with over 100 pages. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 To reassure a dog that their affection is reciprocated, respond positively to the nudges. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
  • Kris Jenner is sharing the birthday love — and throwbacks — for Paris Hilton!
    Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Gabby and Casey found love in the villa for a third time and their future looks bright and sunny.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Leukemia, a disease of the blood and bone marrow, disrupts the body's ability to produce normal blood cells.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Show creator Samantha Strauss said the character of Lucy was important to depict what a lot of people feel when fighting a disease: not listened to, not in control and not acknowledged as a full person.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The combination of IoT and AI enables connected devices to collect, analyze and act on data in real-time.
    Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Just in time for Christmas, certain members of Congress are hard at work in their policy shops, fashioning a massive lump of cybersecurity coal with which to gift American users of electronic devices.
    David Williams, National Review, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • While not all cities’ bus rapid transit lines are the same, the systems are generally defined by several key characteristics: ► Dedicated, bus-only lanes in the center of the roadway.
    Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • How does a video game — especially one as young as Apex, which launched in 2019 — inspire this kind of devotion?
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Then the rosary and the cross are to show my devotion.
    Renea Baek Goddard, Them, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Clark said the Naval Special Warfare Command reported 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, among Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combat crewman candidates at the Coronado base from January 2019 to May 2023.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The Heat was missing Bam Adebayo (left knee contusion), Andrew Wiggins (stomach illness), Josh Christopher (G League), Keshad Johnson (G League), Kevin Love (personal reasons), Terry Rozier (stomach illness), Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) and Isaiah Stevens (G League) against the Mavericks.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Regardless of one’s political affiliation or inclinations, now is the time to institutionalize sweeping changes in public management.
    Jerry Haar, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The vast majority of this content is just a few taps of a remote control away on Paramount+, but that doesn't mean everyone has the time — or the inclination — to work through key episodes, just to fill in some gaps in a character's backstory.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • What to look for in a quality proofing basket Liners These accessories are used to prevent sticking and to keep your banneton nice and clean.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Those qualities are universally applicable, regardless of the field.
    Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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