AFFECTATION Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

affectation

noun

ˌa-ˌfek-ˈtā-shən

Definition of affectation next

as in pretension

the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case a woman of great affectation at social gatherings

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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

Examples of affectation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And that was our code for drifting too much into yourself and not carrying some of those affectations and mannerisms that are part and parcel of being him. —

Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2024 And while free — or lost, rather — spirit Amy (Alison Brie) shed her Maria Sharapova affectations in favor of caftans years ago, the baby of the family and physical therapist, Brooke (Essie Randles), channels Anna Kournikova, with a closet full of Lacoste, Sporty & Rich, and Adidas. —

Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 23 Apr. 2024 In a world consumed by social media facades, Joaquina’s artistry shines through the affectations. —

Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024 Then the accent, and the weird affectation of his lisp. —

Zack Sharf, Variety, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for affectation

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affectation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.