1
as in to influence
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
their son claims that scary movies don't affect him in the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to involve
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to simulate
to present a false appearance of
she affected complete unawareness that we were talking about her, though she must have overheard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to haunt
to go to or spend time in often
a power couple known to affect all the fancy parties in town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affect
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
The anti-establishment has become the establishment, and its decisions will affect us all.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
Not only do the tariffs affect the suppliers of brands like Princess Polly, but the market could also affect how viewers perceive these hauls.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
That glaring absence of both people and money will affect both WHO's ability to address health crises that don't care about borders -– as well as the ability of the U.S. to collaborate with the rest of the world to solve them, say global health specialists interviewed by NPR.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affect
Verb
Despite the ongoing review, some attorneys are still concerned there could be other inmates affected by defective drug tests.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
The anti-establishment has become the establishment, and its decisions will affect us all.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
Not only do the tariffs affect the suppliers of brands like Princess Polly, but the market could also affect how viewers perceive these hauls.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
That glaring absence of both people and money will affect both WHO's ability to address health crises that don't care about borders -– as well as the ability of the U.S. to collaborate with the rest of the world to solve them, say global health specialists interviewed by NPR.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affect
Video
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'
A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)
Cite this Entry
“Affect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affect. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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