Definition of affinitynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun affinity differ from other similar words?

The words attraction and sympathy are common synonyms of affinity. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When might attraction be a better fit than affinity?

While in some cases nearly identical to affinity, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

When would sympathy be a good substitute for affinity?

In some situations, the words sympathy and affinity are roughly equivalent. However, sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

Example 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 affinity His affinity for Iran and its former leader were most likely factors that led to the shooting, the bureau added. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026 His affinity for Iran and its former leader were likely factors in the attack Diagne perpetrated on his own, investigators said. CBS News, 7 May 2026 Cultural affinity is not the same thing as political goodwill. Bobby Ghosh, Time, 7 May 2026 There have been other touch points, like the affinity some Task Force officers have for the Punisher logo, that crosses from the fictional into reality. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for affinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affinity
Noun
  • Malo Gusto is athletically capable of being the Frimpong at Chelsea, but has not demonstrated the same level of aptitude in front of goal.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Collins admits to feeling a kinship with Simpson, who was the target of the tabloids of her day.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • At the hospital, Feldman and others wondered how to help kinship families beyond children’s medical treatment.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • People have a tendency to be pushy, aggressive and even compulsive today.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
  • Since the materials are designed to be stain-resistant and water-repellant, this couch perfectly suits our tendency to eat and drink in the living room.
    Meg Kernahan, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • And whatever rifts had formed in his relationship with Altman were largely absent from social media.
    Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, 57, or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, 45, are both often mentioned as possible firm hands who could steer the party, though neither has shown much inclination to enter the fray this time round.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • My inclination would be to say probably not.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • As well as attracting huge foot traffic to its stores, the company’s brand benefits from its association with one of the Switzerland’s most storied watchmakers.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • In a 2019 genome-wide association study published in Nature Communications, researchers identified 351 genetic loci associated with morning chronotype (up from just 24 a decade ago) in a meta-analysis of nearly 700,000 individuals.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • In the Jobs era, the Apple ecosystem was its biggest competitive advantage — Cook doubled down on it, with all devices working seamlessly together.
    Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
  • Despite their tiny size, the devices delivered some of the strongest efficiencies reported for ultrathin perovskite solar technology.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • In the last two debates, Becerra, considered the party's frontrunner, has faced scrutiny from other candidates and the public over his connection to Williamson.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • In softball, Rowles has fit right in with the program’s connection, according to teammate Riley Belcik.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Affinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affinity. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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