AFFECTION Synonyms: 215 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

affection

noun

ə-ˈfek-shən

Definition of affection next

as in love

a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone an elderly couple showing their affection for each other by little acts of kindness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disease

an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning born with a heart affection that later caused him problems

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as in devices

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing I'm rooting for the Cubs—just my natural affection for the underdog, I guess

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as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind religion, of one kind or another, is an affection common to every society known to have existed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 affection Sure enough, their mutual affections eventually get synced up in season two, thanks in part to Hoobastank’s immortal power ballad. —

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 Rivals presents a Britannica buffet: affairs start around teatime, dogs abound (in fact, one Labrador’s affection is the key to uncovering an illicit liaison), and people play tennis naked, save for a strand of pearls. —

Chloe Malle, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024 What's a girl to do when she's won the affection of two of the hunkiest guys in town? —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024 Humans are naturally wired to enjoy feelings of love and affection, but for some, these feelings can extend beyond a healthy interest in relationships. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affection

Noun

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are feeling the love heading into 2025.

Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine While Kennebunkport is charming year-round, February brings a month-long celebration of love, transforming this coastal town into an amorous wonderland for its Paint the Town Red celebration.

Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025