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
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
In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.
—Meghan McCarron, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for affectation
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
In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.
—Meghan McCarron, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for affectation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation
Noun
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This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
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There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.—
Taran Dugal,
Rolling Stone,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For more about how to instruct generative AI on doing pretenses, also known as personas, see my discussion at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
No pretense, just genuine passion for scent and storytelling.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Although technology is a ubiquitous part of this production, the piece has practically nothing to say about it, other than acknowledging its mere existence — technology is related to vanity, and a front-facing selfie camera is like a mirror.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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That has real implications for brand deals and CPM negotiations — but risks creating a new layer of noise and vanity metrics in the creator economy.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Observers called it the perfect mix of effectiveness and disdain.—
Duncan Alexander,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Maher, a lifelong liberal and longtime critic of Trump, has never held back on his disdain for the Republican president’s actions and policies.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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His superiority was self-evident, like the rays of the sun.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Although inflation has cooled, tariffs could heat it up again.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2025
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Together, the measures are the four major components of the country’s gross domestic product — the value of goods and services — when adjusted for inflation.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Taylor said the team hopes to host a contingent of young players from local club teams, and college players take pride in interacting with them.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
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Plus, the brand takes pride in their meticulous craftsmanship, with each hat requiring approximately 22 hours to complete.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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