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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Recent Examples of affectation
Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.
—
Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
From frame one, Bob Dylan, the creation, the idea, the trickster, the lone wolf, without attitude or affectation, your Dylan was no imitation.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025
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.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectation
Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
From frame one, Bob Dylan, the creation, the idea, the trickster, the lone wolf, without attitude or affectation, your Dylan was no imitation.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025
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.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation
Noun
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Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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Each installment was a chance for a new joke, a new observation—about fashion, dating, public restrooms, artistic pretensions, being mistaken for a man—in an era when popular depictions of lesbian experience were rare.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The sweeping track was inspired in part by Rebecca Solnit’s 2014 collection Men Explain Things to Me, with the titular essay providing a scathing look at male arrogance and how conversations between men and women go awry.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
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But nothing in his tenure captures all at once the sense of arrogance, tone-deafness to the concerns of Floridians and obsession with keeping secrets.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Noun
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In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
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Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Accessibility and Sustainability Mii amo features one ADA-compliant 400-square-foot Casita, complete with a king-size bed, a roll-in shower, a tub with a permanent seat, and an accessible double vanity.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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Distinctive elements: White oak vanity; brass fixtures; quartz countertops; Asian wallpaper.—
Lennie Omalza,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Noun
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For the first time, the accord sets a definitive price tag for a U.S. college to assuage the Trump administration, which has made no secret of its disdain for many universities, especially the richest and most selective ones.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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One of the injured parties, who broke their leg and required emergency surgery, expressed disdain for the number of MARTA officers on site.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Being the world's most valuable company is not a sign of permanent superiority.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
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What To Know According to a French intelligence report shared with the Associated Press, Chinese diplomats worked to publicize the downing of Rafale jets during the conflict while promoting the superiority of Chinese fighter aircraft.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Rising inflation and tariff concerns also may have a hand in Gen Z’s new attraction to estate sales.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Although Trump remains a polarizing figure, the data suggests that voters are increasingly viewing the party as ineffective on core issues like inflation, border security, and crime.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Explorers seek variety, creativity, and new experiences, prizing flexibility and innovation. Artisans, motivated by mastery and pride in their work, are autonomous and focused on quality.—
David Michels,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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In the final episode of The Cosby Show, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable is beaming with pride—his only son is graduating college.—
Mychal Denzel Smith,
Time,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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