AFFECTS Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

affects 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of affect

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

as in involves

to be the business or affair of fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

affects

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of affect

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

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

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 affects

Verb

There is also bias at play, which affects decision-making, even unconsciously. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026 According to personal finance website NerdWallet, an at-fault crash typically affects your insurance rates for at least three years. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 Conversely, women already employed experienced no similar career advancement, suggesting this bias primarily affects first impressions. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 How the Fed affects your wallet The Fed's benchmark interest rate determines what banks charge one another for overnight loans. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 27 July 2026 Meanwhile, Parkinson’s is a nervous system disorder that affects movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 Researchers said the analysis shows how the decision to close schools affects students and their communities far beyond access to education, according to a statement from the University of Chicago. — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 Many are also unsure of how nutrition affects their relative’s health condition and lack training on meal planning, budgeting and cooking for themselves and for a relative with chronic health conditions. — Minakshi Raj, The Conversation, 24 July 2026 His work habits are inconsistent at best, and his lack of follow-through directly affects my ability to do my job well. — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affects

Verb

In Iceland, researchers will release 80 weather balloons over a 26-hour period to examine how the eclipse influences Earth’s atmospheric boundary layer — the layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
My team is also investigating how selectively targeting these toxic protein clumps influences their spread, inflammation in the nervous system and brain cell survival across different brain regions.

— Sunil Kumar, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of influences

Verb

Knowing when to seek testing and what a workup involves can be the difference between managing symptoms early and living with them unnecessarily.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
According to research led by Robin Ely of Harvard University, leadership development involves deep identity work.

— Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of involves

Verb

However, an expert retained by LAIP used Delft3D hydrodynamic modeling, which simulates wind and water movement, People reported.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
Winter guests will enjoy gathering around the midcentury fireplace that anchors the living room, while an outdoor firepit simulates the same experience for spring and summer visitors.

— Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026

Definition of simulates

Verb

The Blumhouse production sees Chastain portray Ursula, a wife and mother, as well as a supernatural entity that haunts her family’s home.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 July 2026
One of the biggest lessons that haunts the Intelligence Community to this day dates to a reliance on raw reports leading up to the invasion of Iraq.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of haunts

Verb

Leaders need to remember how the workplace impacts people emotionally and lead accordingly - positively influencing their storied experience.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
That same efficient localization impacts flexibility, however, and becomes costly when exogenous shocks hit businesses.

— Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of impacts

Verb

The study incorporates data from 2021 through 2024, and mostly concerns 2023 model-year vehicles.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 30 July 2026
According to the complaint, Grigsby attempted to tell Martinez that concerns about a defense attorney’s performance should be directed to supervisors rather than discussed in open court.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

Definition of concerns

Verb

Ariane lies to him and pretends to be an experienced dame and never reveals her real name.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 18 July 2026
But also, because The Odyssey itself is a kind of Trojan horse, a vessel that pretends to give us an entertaining story from the past while, in fact, exposing uncomfortable truths about the present.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Definition of pretends

Verb

The Note Nest creator Vanessa Harnik frequents traditional little free libraries and was inspired to create something special of her own.

— Mary Eber, CBS News, 14 July 2026
As someone who frequents the office, a lightweight sweater is a necessity for balancing between frigid temps inside and balmy weather outside.

— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026