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

That trade-off matters in a long-range EV, where carrying more battery weight affects the vehicle’s design, while a stationary installation has more flexibility. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Pritzker said Welch’s decision doesn’t affect the Bears stadium negotiations or any other priorities in the upcoming veto session. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Missouri was negatively affected by all five reviews conducted during this game. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026

As the community continued to leave tributes, Linnertz had a message for Graham's family and the other agents who were affected by the tragedy. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Video

How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

Is there an easy way to remember whether you want affect or effect? Senior Editor Emily Brewster explains a simple trick that will work most of the time. For more read "Affect and Effect Picking the Right One"

Transcript

Do affect with an A and effect with an E give you a hard time? Well, we're here to help with a rule that covers most uses. Chances are, if you want an action word, that is a verb, you want affect with an A. Remembering this rule will affect—with A—your life positively. If you want a noun, you probably want effect with an E. Remembering this rule will have a positive effect—with an E—on you. Check the dictionary entries for exceptions but most of the time, it's affect with an A for action words and effect with an E for nouns.