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

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

Power shutoffs affected more than 2 million customers in 2019. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026

Besides the obvious, the positive benefits from space programs are extensive, including medical and technological breakthroughs that affect our daily lives in countless positive ways. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026

The politicians also believed that young people could understand how smoking affected their health, and that raising awareness was more important than bans. —Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington’s economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens. —Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Video

How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

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