affair

noun

ə-ˈfer How to pronounce affair (audio)
Definition of affairnext
1
as in romance
also affaire a brief romantic relationship an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in event
a social gathering the annual country club dance is a really fancy affair

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in production
something produced by physical or intellectual effort the lead float in the parade was a pretty impressive affair, a giant eagle's head with equally huge wings

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4
as in incident
something that happens the whole affair from start to finish took a total of 15 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in matter
something to be dealt with it's none of your affair whom I'm going out with tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 affair Not to be outshone, Reverie’s spa is a two-level, 13,000-square-foot affair with two open-air Jacuzzis and an Olympic-size swimming pool, naturally. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 And Erin Browne, treasury undersecretary for international affairs, said Monday the delegation was invited because Russia is a member of the G20. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 The Bain-Altagamma Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study presented in June reported that personal luxury goods spending should grow at least 1 percent and possibly as high as 6 percent this year depending on how world affairs and tourism develop. — David Moin, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 As part of the effort, Voight, Paul and Karol also met with MPA Chairman and CEO Charlie Rivkin and SVPs of federal government affairs Josh Rogin and Hap Rigby. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for affair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affair
  1. romance
  2. event
  3. production
  4. incident
  5. matter
  6. fling
  7. party
  8. product
Noun
  • Their Mediterranean romance becomes complicated when Ry's mother becomes involved in a resort development threatening Julián's family's land.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • That casting was for Prime Video’s romance The Last Sunrise, based on author Anna Todd’s 2025 bestseller and released this Wednesday.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of romance
Noun
  • August's payrolls report, out Friday, will be the main event for economic data.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • At one of the first promotional events, Bullock briefly chatted about her time on the Miss Congeniality franchise.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of event
Noun
  • Earlier this year, India became the world's second largest mobile manufacturer, with more than 300 production units as compared to just two in 2014.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some upper-level seats were sold because of demand, but those buyers were relocated downstairs Tuesday once production was installed and additional lower-level seats opened up.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The teen, a standout player on his high school football team, remains behind bars over the alleged incident.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of incident
Noun
  • Conduct a Soil Test Taking samples of the soil from several places in the lawn will provide information about soil acidity (pH), nutrient levels, and organic matter content.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • From obscurity to the top of the football world, all in the matter of a few days.
    — Sam McDowell August 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Renata, post-divorce from her fraudster husband Gordon, takes up motorcycle lessons and a fling with a workout instructor.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The 30-year-old actress is best known for her role as Kendall, the former fling of Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) in the Prime Video romantic drama series Off Campus.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fling
Noun
  • Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.
    — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The strain between city and club began in 2022, when a land deal between two parties for the Angels to purchase the stadium and surrounding property fell through amid a scandal.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of party
Noun
  • Dorsey was founded lab-grown, always marks its products as lab-grown, but has never marketed around the concept, Strachan says.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • New Zealand supplies more than half of China's dairy imports, a dominance built under a bilateral trade agreement since 2008, that later granted duty-free access for all its dairy products in 2024.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of product

Phrases Containing affair

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Cite this Entry

“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affair. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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