1
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
affected laughter at the boss's jokes an affected southern accent
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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
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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
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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
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2
as in concerned
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
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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
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2
as in haunted
to go to or spend time in often
a power couple known to affect all the fancy parties in town
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Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.
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