1
as in romance
also affaire
a brief romantic relationship
an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in event
a social gathering
the annual country club dance is a really fancy affair
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3
as in production
something produced by physical or intellectual effort
the lead float in the parade was a pretty impressive affair, a giant eagle's head with equally huge wings
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4
as in incident
something that happens
the whole affair from start to finish took a total of 15 minutes
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5
as in matter
something to be dealt with
it's none of your affair whom I'm going out with tonight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affair
Globe-spanning benefit concerts and blockbuster charity singles boomed in the ’80s, and heartland-rock artists were fixtures at these affairs.
—
Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The actor was being honored with an award for his contributions to film—but Amal’s red carpet look for the affair was worthy of its very own accolade.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
For Bush, the last president to host such an affair, the formality was a put-off.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
From casual daytime wear to the most formal evening affairs, pearls effortlessly transition.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affair
Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The actor was being honored with an award for his contributions to film—but Amal’s red carpet look for the affair was worthy of its very own accolade.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
For Bush, the last president to host such an affair, the formality was a put-off.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
From casual daytime wear to the most formal evening affairs, pearls effortlessly transition.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affair
Noun
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Song of the Goddess, 1992, which Pau made while living in New York, is a tribute to the secret real-life romance between two female Cantonese opera stars, Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
There were sequels, corsets, and movie romances in an age when the genre was dying.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
But the events of the last three years have left me confused and altered our relationship.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Allen was injured but was not shot during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton, which disrupted one of the highest-profile annual events in the nation’s capital.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Noun
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It is fitted out with a teaching kitchen, a podcast-production space, a large classroom called the Democracy in Action Lab, and a recording studio.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The session, moderated by Cynthia Littleton, Variety co-Editor in Chief, ended with a discussion of the growing film and TV production infrastructure in Chile.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The incident occurred off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the UKMTO said, adding that the ship's entire crew has been reported safe.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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Chuck Paterakis, who oversees transportation for Schmidt Bakery, said the driver was transporting products from the company when the incident occurred.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Noun
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As her anxiety rises, sticking to the essentials has become a matter of financial survival, Rosado said.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For anyone who thought polka dots were just a passing summer fling—think again.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This season, our beauty routines are having a spring fling with drugstore beauty products.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The most exuberant farewell event—a dance party at the White House—took place on January 6th.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Tall served as Mali’s education and science minister from 2016 to 2017 and is the president of the National Congress for Democratic Initiative, a political party opposed to the military government.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
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All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 May 2026
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In early April, Ulta CEO Kecia Steelman told Yahoo Finance that the company is seeing more consumers buying hair treatment products as part of the GLP-1 craze.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affair. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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