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
Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Since the start of 2026, more than 7 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks in Pennsylvania have been affected by avian flu outbreaks, United States Department of Agriculture data shows.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
More than 200,000 Bay Staters remained in the dark Tuesday evening, with MEMA’s power outage map showing large chunks of Barnstable and Plymouth counties greatly affected.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Even though tech layoffs have affected an industry that was considered highly stable, Griffin believes those jobs will play a vital part in Miami’s future.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Kaiser and others affected by the shooting gathered at the Capitol to pressure lawmakers to change state gun policies.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
While the construction industry is the most directly affected, other parts of the region’s economy also are feeling the pinch, including restaurants patronized by workers, real estate agents and some retailers.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Williams said the involuntary outbursts, commonly called tics, can be affected by stress or environment, and while there are ways to ease the outbursts, completely controlling them is a struggle.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board’s rapid response team, employed by the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, has been notified to coordinate services with GXO and affected employees.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Others showed their opposition by inviting guests who have been affected by his agenda.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Since the start of 2026, more than 7 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks in Pennsylvania have been affected by avian flu outbreaks, United States Department of Agriculture data shows.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
More than 200,000 Bay Staters remained in the dark Tuesday evening, with MEMA’s power outage map showing large chunks of Barnstable and Plymouth counties greatly affected.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Even though tech layoffs have affected an industry that was considered highly stable, Griffin believes those jobs will play a vital part in Miami’s future.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Kaiser and others affected by the shooting gathered at the Capitol to pressure lawmakers to change state gun policies.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
While the construction industry is the most directly affected, other parts of the region’s economy also are feeling the pinch, including restaurants patronized by workers, real estate agents and some retailers.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Williams said the involuntary outbursts, commonly called tics, can be affected by stress or environment, and while there are ways to ease the outbursts, completely controlling them is a struggle.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board’s rapid response team, employed by the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, has been notified to coordinate services with GXO and affected employees.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
Her breathing grew strained and wheezy.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Centrist leaders in the United Kingdom, France and Germany resist spending a larger percentage of their strained budgets defending against a Russian threat that their far-right populist opponents might think can be easily negotiated away.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Vlasic played a steady, responsible game, allowing the more offensively inclined Doughty to create scoring chances on the back end.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Plan a snow blowing routine Some homeowners are more inclined to let a machine do the heavy work for them.—
Christina Cush,
Architectural Digest,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Denver Post Broncos beat reporter Luca Evans also has McNeil-Warren coming to Denver in his mock draft.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
An annual festival in Andorra drew condemnation from the country’s small Jewish community after an effigy bearing the Israeli flag was staged in a mock trial and then hung and shot.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump then reissued congratulations and reiterated how proud the team should be of themselves about the victory.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The vibe was loud and proud, and rightfully so.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This home is completed by an attached four-car garage.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
And the plan has too high a percentage of apartments and other attached homes, members said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Standard techniques designed for straight hair may increase the risk of linear scars and low graft survival, which lends to an overall unnatural appearance.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
Freep.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The beauty of his images, amid unnatural constraints, isn’t a matter of style but of natural force.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The gold-tone chain, pebbled finish, and stunning burgundy colorway will complement any outfit, while also keeping important belongings safe.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The battle pitted Ellison against Netflix, the industry’s biggest and most important player.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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