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 Under Prada Group ownership — and back home in Italy — Versace has the brand recognition and affinity to thrive, analysts say. Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026 Quenneville likes the comparison to Perry, professing an affinity for a player who was, for years, an adversarial nuisance. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Smith is among a larger subset of young people with an affinity for heirloom design. Mary Grace Granados special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026 The charismatic 28-year Disney veteran had the edge because of his deep affinity with company’s corporate culture and his success in growing the all-important theme parks business, which is in the midst of an ambitious 10 year, $60-billion parks and cruise line expansion. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for affinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affinity
Noun
  • In the era of collaboration, globalization, and entrepreneurship, EQ surpassed IQ as the must-have aptitude for an interconnected world.
    Big Think, Big Think, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The Broncos expect Stidham to play well given his mental aptitude, preparation and personality.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • They’d been drawn by the pay, but also by a sense of altruism and imagined kinship.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In Texas, kids taken into state custody leave a kinship placement twice as often as the nationwide rate, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal data tracking kids removed from their homes in a four-year period.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • If readers are at all uncertain of his sociopathic tendencies, Heathcliff then hangs his wife’s dog.
    Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Turkish experience also speaks to the tendency of diasporas to become politically frozen at the moment of departure from their home countries.
    Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, Esposito did work at Michigan under former Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who has a strong relationship with Minter.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The couple became fan-favorites on Love Island, and followers have become very invested in seeing their relationship succeed.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This is because when people lose weight, the body’s natural inclination is to return to its previous weight – a phenomenon called metabolic adaptation.
    Amy J. Sheer, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The 11 satellites on board are flying to a mid-inclination orbit.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Prior to this, in 2022, his mother – the late Queen Elizabeth II – revoked her second son's military associations and royal patronages in the wake of Giuffre's September 2021 lawsuit, which was later settled for an undisclosed sum.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Aside from his association with Epstein, Mandelson previously had to resign twice from senior government posts because of scandals over money or ethics.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In September, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept them and shoot down some of the devices.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The countries announced a framework for the agreement in November, saying Argentina would ease restrictions on a range of American imports, including cattle, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, machinery, medical devices and vehicles.
    Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In his first playoff game, a thriller against the Los Angeles Rams, McMillan caught five passes for 81 yards, using his connection with quarterback Bryce Young to get the ball downfield.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In 2016, Karp was trying to help his son, who was interested in a film career, and reached out to Epstein in hopes of making a connection with Woody Allen.
    MEG KINNARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Affinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affinity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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