Which term describes mutual understanding and affection between individuals?

The term that describes mutual understanding and affection between individuals is connection. Connection refers to the emotional bond and sense of closeness that individuals experience with one another. This can involve sharing feelings, thoughts, and experiences that foster a deep understanding and appreciation for each other, which cultivates affection.

While empathy involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, it doesn’t necessarily encompass the affection aspect that connection emphasizes. Sympathy relates more to feelings of pity or compassion for someone else's misfortune and lacks the emotional depth and bond defined by connection. Synergy typically refers to the collaborative efforts of individuals working together to produce a better outcome than they could individually, which does not directly pertain to mutual understanding and affection on a personal level. Therefore, connection is the most appropriate choice to describe the mutual understanding and affection between individuals.