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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Example Sentences
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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.
—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
The self-conscious aspiration to hipness here is unfortunate and decidedly not cool, but some may find such affectations quaint.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Large, tall canvases of nude males covered the back wall of his exhibit space—compelling works that were presented without affectation.
—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectation
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
The self-conscious aspiration to hipness here is unfortunate and decidedly not cool, but some may find such affectations quaint.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Large, tall canvases of nude males covered the back wall of his exhibit space—compelling works that were presented without affectation.
—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectation
Noun
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Impartial, fact-finding and without pretension, Burns turns his camera to our history in a sober-but-not-boring manner.
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To adore the literary greats but reject any modicum of pretension?
Noun
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Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down.
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In Episode 3, Harris discussed the early arrogance of the founding fathers who made proposals for America's independence and questioned who was entitled to freedom.
Noun
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Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.
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In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.
Noun
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The bathroom is nearby and contains a vanity sink, a walk-in shower, and an incinerating toilet – which literally turns waste into ash.
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The hotel’s wellness focus extends to the bathrooms, which boast walk-in showers, claw-foot soaking tubs, and double-sink marble vanities embellished with ornate gilt mirrors.
Noun
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At this point, the widespread disdain shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
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But more than using any specific set of policies as a litmus test, Democratic voters appear drawn to the candidates who most radiate disdain for the status quo.
Noun
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These early precedents in fictional brutality also weaken Thomson’s next point, about literature’s superiority.
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Part of the reason for this is the Dodgers have entered a boring-great stage of hegemony, in which their superiority over the rest of the league is so pronounced that there is little to discuss on a day-to-day basis.
Noun
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Griffith’s own work looks stiff and sentimental, weighed down with melodrama and grandiosity that may have seemed dated even in 1915.
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People with bipolar disorder cycle through extended periods of mania and depression, often accompanied by grandiosity or elevated self-esteem during manic phases.
Noun
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And the economic risks of higher inflation and lower consumption as a result of the fuel shortages could not have come at a worse time.
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BofA recently predicted the Fed has now run out of patience and will hike rates three times this year to finally rein in inflation.
Cite this Entry
“Affectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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