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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 affectation In a transfixing performance that balances colorful affectation with raw hunger, the actor makes Lee a magnetic raconteur whose shield of worldly composure falls away as Eugene (Drew Starkey) eludes his grasp, leaving him a virtual ghost by the end of the film. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for affectation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation

Noun

The past month in Lebanon, like the past year in Gaza, has demonstrated that Israel’s leaders have no idealistic pretensions about establishing a new political order in Lebanon or in the Strip.

Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
The chief theme, of course, is art itself, which wafts into pretension all too easily.

Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024