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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affected
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, which wasn’t affected by the decisions by Democrat Swalwell and Republican Gonzales.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Other roaches that don’t come in contact with it won’t be affected.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
How have the tariffs affected your strategy?
—Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Emergency response is affected too.
—Daniel R. George, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
This led to severe weight loss, which affected his vocal muscles and resulted in the cancellation of several performances across South America.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
That’s why inflation is milder this time around, and why GDP growth is less affected by the war.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Vélez said up to 80 hippos would be affected by the measure.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
So many were affected by my breakdown.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, which wasn’t affected by the decisions by Democrat Swalwell and Republican Gonzales.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Other roaches that don’t come in contact with it won’t be affected.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
How have the tariffs affected your strategy?
—Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Emergency response is affected too.
—Daniel R. George, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
This led to severe weight loss, which affected his vocal muscles and resulted in the cancellation of several performances across South America.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
That’s why inflation is milder this time around, and why GDP growth is less affected by the war.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Vélez said up to 80 hippos would be affected by the measure.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
Rumors about the family's dynamic played out for months until Brooklyn posted a series of posts confirming the strained relationship.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The move follows several recent meetups in areas such as Navy Yard, where large groups of teens have flooded streets and strained police resources.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Notoriously arrogant comedy legend Kent Romero might first bring to mind Chevy Chase for readers, perhaps even 1980s stars like Judge Reinhold, but with his Venezuelan-American background, he was also inspired by real-life groundbreakers like Freddie Prinze.—
Lee Kelly,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
As the sun and Jupiter clash, you’re cosmically protected, but arrogant behavior won’t get a pass.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Garrison wasn’t inclined to take this offer.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Finding harmony in dual pursuits Miller, who originally got to know Mattei by playing for his Mile Hi Magic club, grew up in a musically inclined household.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1985, a mock trial was held in Jerusalem against Mengele, and Spiegel was called as a witness.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The mock neck, cap sleeves, and gold hardware cinching the waist give it a polished, elevated look that could easily pass for something much pricier.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Garrison’s younger son had played basketball for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; this made Garrison proud.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The people are proud of their industrial background.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The attached video first aired on April 6.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, daily habits show just how attached people have become.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The words feel heavy and unnatural when O'Neal repeats them back to the doctor, like trying to blow a bubble and spitting out rocks instead.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Bolton said unsatisfied transplant recipients are coming to him with unnatural hairlines.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Other important ceremonial garments are also on display, including the Queen’s wedding dress, from 1947, another Hartnell creation that incorporated not just the white rose of the House of York but also featured orange blossoms, a symbol of fertility.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
My co-driver is super important.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
