1
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
affected laughter at the boss's jokes an affected southern accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
with her pinkie extended, the four-year-old held her tiny teacup in that affected manner that some women have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inclined
having a liking or affection
after years of being well affected toward their grandchildren, they did not want to lose access to them because of a bitter divorce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in influenced
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in concerned
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in pretended
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 haunted
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 affected
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The annual event convenes legislators, tribal leaders, families and victims affected by MMIP.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
These injuries not only affected my physical health but also my emotional well-being and self-esteem.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
For those who may have lost track, that’s four straight Hornets’ home games affected, creating a situation that probably mirrors the 1993 movie featuring Bill Murray.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Which states are affected by the recall?
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Creating Opportunities for Local Economic Growth Regional economic health is affected by workforce development, and the accelerated nursing pathways help support Kansas City’s economic growth.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
State police noted that the condition of the highway was affected by the major snowstorm that hit the state.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Women also spend 25% longer in poor health compared to men and are more likely to experience medical gaslighting in traditional health care settings, despite being disproportionately affected by chronic conditions such as chronic pain.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The annual event convenes legislators, tribal leaders, families and victims affected by MMIP.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
These injuries not only affected my physical health but also my emotional well-being and self-esteem.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
For those who may have lost track, that’s four straight Hornets’ home games affected, creating a situation that probably mirrors the 1993 movie featuring Bill Murray.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Which states are affected by the recall?
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Creating Opportunities for Local Economic Growth Regional economic health is affected by workforce development, and the accelerated nursing pathways help support Kansas City’s economic growth.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
State police noted that the condition of the highway was affected by the major snowstorm that hit the state.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
The strained awkwardness of Adelina and Alban’s gestures of generosity underscore the class disparity between the city dwellers and their relatives.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel were already severely strained after South Africa — a longtime supporter of the Palestinian people — accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the United Nations’ top court.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Spock is this brilliant, arrogant, aloof-to-the-point-of-obnoxiousness genius.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Teams might be less inclined to offer a blockbuster package for Antetokounmpo without knowing the full scope of his injury.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
While Senate Democrats were initially frustrated by the DHS bill, many still seemed inclined to vote for the entire appropriations package rather than risk a partial shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thai troops uncovered a sprawling scam complex in Cambodia where international fraud rings used mock police stations and bank replicas to deceive billions of victims globally.—
Sakchai Lalit,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Stewart reacted in mock offense.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the reaction is just as vast, and even more persistent, Angela was proud to tell me about Moon Palace’s place as a node in a larger community network.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Now 32, the Canadian is the proud owner of 25 X Games medals, including 14 gold total and eight in the slopestyle discipline.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The designation only applies to the sign, not the attached building, which houses Americana Pizza.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps the most attractive feature for the restaurant — which sits about four blocks away from Bank of America Stadium, right where South End and uptown come together — is its attached parking deck.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In erasing these concepts, or transforming them into meaningless slogans, the recent right-wing campaign of educational suppression seeks to eliminate an important means of understanding Black history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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