Synonyms of affect

affect 1 of 2

verb (1)

ə-ˈfekt 

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

• influence
• impact
• impress
• strike
• touch
• reach
• sway
• inspire
• involve
• tell (on)
• interest
• get to
• move
• bother
• disturb
• attract
• fascinate
• concern
• penetrate
• worry
• entrance
• dazzle
• bias
• carry away
• afflict
• plague
• engage
• stir
• upset
• transport
• trouble
• try
• distress
• harass
• discomfort
• perturb
• color
• stress
• enrapture
• pierce
• ravish
• enthrall
• enchant
• charm
• smite
• agitate
• captivate
• wring
• pester
• disquiet
• fluster
• discompose
• bewitch
• harry
• strain
• allure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade
• underwhelm

2

as in to involve

to be the business or affair of

fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• involve
• concern
• touch
• apply (to)
• bear (on)
• relate (to)
• pertain (to)
• refer (to)
• implicate
• appertain (to)
• ensnare
• embroil
• entangle

affect

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈa-ˌfekt 

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

• simulate
• pretend
• assume
• act
• pass (for)
• make believe
• feign
• put on
• profess
• conceal
• pose
• bluff
• dissemble
• counterfeit
• fake
• forge
• play
• sham
• imitate
• let on
• masquerade
• disguise
• impersonate
• mask
• dissimulate
• camouflage
• playact
• feint
• malinger

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

• haunt
• frequent
• visit
• hang (at)
• resort (to)
• invade
• habituate
• attend
• patronize
• call (on or upon)
• run (in)
• infest
• stop (by or in)
• drop by
• stop (over)
• drop in
• stay (at)
• overrun
• camp (out in)
• take in
• swarm
• pop (in)
• tarry (in)
• sojourn (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• escape
• evade
• shake
• shun
• elude
• eschew
• dodge
• duck

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb affect contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of affect are assume, counterfeit, feign, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When is assume a more appropriate choice than affect?

The meanings of assume and affect largely overlap; however, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When could counterfeit be used to replace affect?

While in some cases nearly identical to affect, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for affect?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is it sensible to use pretend instead of affect?

The words pretend and affect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When would sham be a good substitute for affect?

In some situations, the words sham and affect are roughly equivalent. However, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When might simulate be a better fit than affect?

The synonyms simulate and affect are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of affect

Verb

Officials have not publicly pinpointed the cause, with shortages largely affecting some areas in the island's most populated cities, including the capital San Juan. —ABC News, 12 June 2026

How does El Niño affect the planet? —Dillon Amaya, The Conversation, 12 June 2026

And then the 1970s British folk rock gives way to a less pleasant auditory landscape, as the hum appears, bringing on headaches and nosebleeds and affecting her concentration and mood, her work and family. —Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

The outcome of the arson case could affect other civil cases against local authorities, according to reporting from Reuters and the Los Angeles Times. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Video

How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)