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
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 16 June 2026
This network is often affected by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression, according to the researchers.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
The Raptors simply play better with Ingram on the floor over Dick, and the change really affected the former Kansas Jayhawks guard’s confidence.
—Gary Bedore
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Elsewhere, flight restrictions affected airports stretching from Sochi on the Black Sea coast to Nizhnekamsk in the Tatarstan Republic, some 750 miles from Ukraine.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Far-western portions of the Florida Panhandle could be affected, too.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Even those who are diagnosed are often told their symptoms are limited to one organ system, when in fact many are affected.
—Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
But the fallout soon affected the rest of the population.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
All the people who were quite conservative have been affected by the policies of dealers who created speculative bubbles.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026
Verb
Similar to the recalls listed above, owners of vehicles affected by the recall are expected to be mailed a letter notifying them of the issue by July 6, according to NHTSA.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 16 June 2026
This network is often affected by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression, according to the researchers.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
The Raptors simply play better with Ingram on the floor over Dick, and the change really affected the former Kansas Jayhawks guard’s confidence.
—Gary Bedore
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Elsewhere, flight restrictions affected airports stretching from Sochi on the Black Sea coast to Nizhnekamsk in the Tatarstan Republic, some 750 miles from Ukraine.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Far-western portions of the Florida Panhandle could be affected, too.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Even those who are diagnosed are often told their symptoms are limited to one organ system, when in fact many are affected.
—Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
But the fallout soon affected the rest of the population.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
All the people who were quite conservative have been affected by the policies of dealers who created speculative bubbles.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
Repercussions could result in local fines, citations, damage claims, and a strained relationship with the neighbor.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Tess is the other violin, anxious and strained and full of unresolved hurt; Jon, the sweet, warm viola, always supporting, his identity built around harmony.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.—
C Pam Zhang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
The question, then, is why so many people would still say that England fans have this arrogant expectation about the quality of their own team?—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the early stages of a relationship, self-expansion is largely automatic, as new partners are most inclined at this point to learn about each other’s unfamiliar interests, social circles, habits and ideas.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The urban-inclined may prefer the commute from New York City.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
While human stress is largely influenced by the hormone cortisol, the equivalent in rats is called corticosterone.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The introduction of the Hadid-110 adds another layer to a UAV arsenal that has already influenced global military planning, one that blends speed, shaping, and expendability into a package that Iran appears determined to deploy more widely.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images Thierry Henry was concerned by how many Arsenal players collapsed to the turf in dismay in the aftermath of Aston Villa’s late winner against them last Saturday.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Your healthcare provider can discuss your blood pressure values and whether you should be concerned.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
King pretended to be dead as Lee tried to wrench open the cash register.—
Nina Giraldo,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Samara Weaving once pretended to be her lookalike friend, Margot Robbie.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Maxine Tarnow, the Upper West Side fraud investigator, moves through a Manhattan already haunted by 9/11 and by the virtual phantasmagoria of the early internet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Dec. 2025
-
The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Public health officials have been preparing for months, said Philadelphia’s Raval-Nelson, including with mock emergency drills and communications with counterparts around the country.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Public health officials have been preparing for months, said Philadelphia’s Raval-Nelson, including with mock emergency drills and communications with counterparts around the country.—
Lauren Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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