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
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
However, not all cruise lines will be equally affected by elevated oil prices.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
Even these relatively small attacks led to internet disruptions that affected banks, financial tech companies, rideshare providers, and other popular services, raising questions about the vulnerabilities of massive Middle Eastern server farms.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
What Ford vehicles are affected by the recall?
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
They have been affected by past shutdowns.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Everything is affected by gravitation, including, in theory, whatever types of particles are ultimately responsible for gravitation.
—Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
But why would people panic buy goods unrelated to or not affected by the conflict?
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Hundreds of millions of people, and entire industries, from the Persian Gulf to Asia, have been affected by industry shutdowns, rising food and heating costs stemming from higher energy prices, and fuel shortages.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
However, not all cruise lines will be equally affected by elevated oil prices.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
Even these relatively small attacks led to internet disruptions that affected banks, financial tech companies, rideshare providers, and other popular services, raising questions about the vulnerabilities of massive Middle Eastern server farms.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
What Ford vehicles are affected by the recall?
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
They have been affected by past shutdowns.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Everything is affected by gravitation, including, in theory, whatever types of particles are ultimately responsible for gravitation.
—Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
But why would people panic buy goods unrelated to or not affected by the conflict?
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affected
Adjective
-
Caissie was a late addition to Friday's lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Caissie was a late addition to Friday’s lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Such tactics have a chilling effect that could make people less inclined to come to court or serve as witnesses, critics say.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But Toshima, who has been living in Daisen for a similar stretch, is more inclined to stay put, citing her inseverable tie to the neighborhood.—
Junko Ogura,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chiefs beat writers Pete Sweeney and Blair Kerkhoff convened in The Star’s (mock) draft room to come up with choices for all nine picks.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant revealed her WNBA mock draft Friday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Families gave their sons to the military and were proud to do it, and very worried.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Diners can look forward to menu items like a bay scallop aguachile and a pescado con moles, plus mezcal-forward cocktails from the attached mezcaleria.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Costco currently operates 13 warehouse locations throughout Ohio and one in Northern Kentucky, many with attached gas stations.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The biggest factor separating natural from unnatural results is judgment, knowing how much is enough and when to stop.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Shah’s Western orientation extended to culture, and a wide range of artistically important international films could be seen in Tehran, in time including those of the French New Wave.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Past wars have not been dictated by the operating hours of the NYSE, but in this presidential worldview, there is no more important constraint.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affected. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
