Thesaurus results for ATTRACTION

Q: How does the noun 'attraction' differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and sympathy are common synonyms of attraction . While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it. // felt an attraction to danger

Q: When is 'affinity' a more appropriate choice than 'attraction'?

While the synonyms affinity and attraction are close in meaning, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn. // an affinity for mathematics

Q: When might 'sympathy' be a better fit than 'attraction'?

The meanings of sympathy and attraction largely overlap; however, sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence. // two minds in sympathy

attraction

noun

ə-ˈtrak-shən

Definition of attraction

as in magnet

something that attracts interest a park with the world's fastest roller coaster and other attractions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun attraction differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and sympathy are common synonyms of attraction. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

When is affinity a more appropriate choice than attraction?

While the synonyms affinity and attraction are close in meaning, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When might sympathy be a better fit than attraction?

The meanings of sympathy and attraction largely overlap; 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 attraction As for the top cities, tried-and-true reign supreme with phenomenal attractions, superlative hotels, and electric dining scenes. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 As hotel rates drop and crowds at major attractions decline in the winter, United is making a bet that travelers will fill up the three-times-a-week service even without the ideal summer weather. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 6 July 2026 One of the event’s biggest attractions was the Humanoid Soccer League, where robots passed, dribbled, defended, and attempted long-range shots in matches resembling human soccer. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 Over more than a century, the zoo has grown from a traditional menagerie into a sprawling campus of habitats, educational spaces, and family-friendly attractions that anchor countless summer memories. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for attraction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attraction

magnet

Noun

To mitigate the losses, both districts are ramping up the promotion of magnet programs and specialized curricula.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 1 July 2026
In simple terms, a stellarator is a fusion power device that confines plasma using external magnets.

— Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of magnet

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attracting

attraction

attractions

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“Attraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attraction. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of attraction

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