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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 For those who hate walking past a couple showing public displays of affection, this may be your favorite law, even if it isn’t enforced. Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025 There’s laughter, innocence, the kind of affection that glows before life complicates it. Essence, 17 July 2025 Earlier in the season, Amaya entered the villa as a bombshell and cycled through multiple connections with men who found her emotions and affection overbearing. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 Before Harper’s birthday celebrations, both her parents showered her with affection and posted several old photos of Harper to both their separate Instagram profiles and Instagram Stories. Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for affection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection
Noun
  • Days of course follows the lives, loves, and conflicts of the Horton, Brady, DiMera, Kiriakis, and Hernandez families and their many friends and colleagues.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 24 July 2025
  • The movie, which became a cult classic to some and an example of poor movie judgment to others, saw Black fall in love with Paltrow for her inner beauty, rather than her outward looks.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • In addition to providing protection for individuals, the DHS website says that widespread vaccination means that diseases have less opportunity to spread.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • Topline Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of heavy metal progenitors Black Sabbath and a multi-platinum selling solo artist, has died at 76, his family confirmed to the BBC, just weeks after his final performance with his old band while still battling Parkinson’s disease.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 July 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
  • Sometimes an offense takes on the characteristics of its most distinguishable member - only the Brewers have a lower team average exit speed than the Padres, and only a handful of clubs hit more line drives, as the club mimics the tendencies of Luis Arraez.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Felix Brill, chief investment officer at VP Bank, agrees that the SGD has many characteristics of a modern safe haven, including macroeconomic stability, strong institutions, a large current account surplus, and low political risk.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Wealth is a draw for the rich and poor alike, a capitalist paradise rooted in fervent belief and devotion.
    Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025
  • The crackdown often intensifies around sensitive dates – especially his birthday – but devotion to the spiritual leader has quietly endured.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • All these conversations are being had now because of King Charles’ illness.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 July 2025
  • Hospitals will close, Americans will go hungry and die of preventable illnesses, but at least there will be far more detention space for our neighbors.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • At the Soul Train Awards in 1997, Da Brat arrived outfitted in a similarly referential look, but her look evoked tomboy inclinations.
    Julian Randall, Essence, 3 July 2025
  • At a June 5 press conference, one day after the General Assembly closed the regular 2024 session, the governor gave his strongest indication to date of an inclination to seek another four-year term with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • See air quality in your area See the live map below to track air quality in your area.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affection. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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