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
Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
One resident, Jason Hale, said his car was among roughly 30 affected by crowds in Chicago that night.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Black business owners were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with the National Bureau of Economic Research reporting that 41% suffered business losses in 2020.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s true even for routine reviews without any surprises, but add to that the potential for people to challenge the review and force costly reexamination or even litigation — something that practically anyone who might conceivably be affected by a development can do.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Engineers warned the fire may have affected the integrity of the decades-old bridge, a key link between Panama City and the west of the country.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Even some first responders remain deeply affected by the results of the crash.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Another group of physicians affected by the pause is doctors in training, known as residents and fellows.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Even former colleagues can be affected.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
Fees for long-haul international flights are not affected.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
One resident, Jason Hale, said his car was among roughly 30 affected by crowds in Chicago that night.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Black business owners were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with the National Bureau of Economic Research reporting that 41% suffered business losses in 2020.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s true even for routine reviews without any surprises, but add to that the potential for people to challenge the review and force costly reexamination or even litigation — something that practically anyone who might conceivably be affected by a development can do.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Engineers warned the fire may have affected the integrity of the decades-old bridge, a key link between Panama City and the west of the country.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Even some first responders remain deeply affected by the results of the crash.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Another group of physicians affected by the pause is doctors in training, known as residents and fellows.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Even former colleagues can be affected.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
Fuel subsidies threaten to blow a hole in Jakarta’s already strained budget.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.—
Brendan Steinhauser,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the Canes seem more inclined to play him more at end this season, though that’s obviously fluid.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This is the wing of the organization most inclined to mainstream compromise.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The idea of producing multiple mock drafts is to cover multiple possibilities, and with the ninth overall selection in the NFL Draft, there are several for the Chiefs.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
To see how the board has changed over time, check out Chris Perkins’ initial mock draft, David Furones’ post-combine mock and Perkins’ post-Waddle trade mock.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a proud UCLA alum, recorded a video congratulating the team on its title win from one champion to another.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Sister Linda DeCero, a proud South Philadelphia native, is full of energy and Philly sports pride.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The attached video first aired on March 31.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Simply use the attached pre-cleaning brush to wipe off debris, then wipe with the carbon pads.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, as mattresses age and their materials break down, uneven sleeping surfaces and poor support can force your body into unnatural positions, often leading to stiff, sore or achy joints in the morning.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
His skating is quite unnatural, though.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the most important sighting of the mythical Stravinskian fowl might be the revival of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 1982 version, migrating back to New York for the first time in more than twenty years.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The stat line was never going to be the most important part of Jayson Tatum’s return to Madison Square Garden.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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