1
as in influences
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in involves
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in simulates
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 haunts
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 affects
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Employers counter that the cost of providing what unions want adversely affects their competitiveness in other states and nations and forces them to raise prices, reduce employment or even leave California to remain solvent.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
An adverse action is any action that materially affects that individual’s standing or terms and conditions of employment.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Walters, 57, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 21, which affects her gait and balance, requiring her to use a walking stick.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
The change affects hundreds of scientists and researchers, many of whom are funded by NASA to conduct their work in climate science, space and other disciplines, the sources said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Cannabis, for example, slows reaction time and affects spatial awareness.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
How higher inflation affects retirees While the pace of inflation has come down from the 2021 and 2022 pandemic highs, seniors are still seeing higher prices on grocery store shelves and elsewhere.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bush described this as a way to support employment, family ties, and stability, recognizing that reentry affects not just former prisoners but also public safety.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Employers counter that the cost of providing what unions want adversely affects their competitiveness in other states and nations and forces them to raise prices, reduce employment or even leave California to remain solvent.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
An adverse action is any action that materially affects that individual’s standing or terms and conditions of employment.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Walters, 57, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 21, which affects her gait and balance, requiring her to use a walking stick.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
The change affects hundreds of scientists and researchers, many of whom are funded by NASA to conduct their work in climate science, space and other disciplines, the sources said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Cannabis, for example, slows reaction time and affects spatial awareness.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
How higher inflation affects retirees While the pace of inflation has come down from the 2021 and 2022 pandemic highs, seniors are still seeing higher prices on grocery store shelves and elsewhere.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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