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

Autism spectrum disorder, by contrast, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that affects social reasoning, communication, perspective taking, and the interpretation of human relationships. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 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 This predicament is not limited to the Wa, but also affects other regional indigenous and tribal groups, such as Karen and Hmong communities in the highlands of Thailand. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 24 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 How adult tummy time affects your posture Lying face down puts your spine in the opposite position from the flexed posture that comes with staring at a phone. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 The Endocrine Society estimates that hypogonadism affects roughly 2% of men overall, although rates vary by age and underlying health. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Hair grows in different cycles, and the laser only affects hairs in a particular phase of their growth. — The Editors, Robb Report, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affects

Verb

Understanding how climate change influences extreme events helps communities, businesses and governments better assess changing risks, improve planning and infrastructure, and make more informed decisions about preparedness and adaptation.

— Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
More recent research has shown that state ownership takes many forms and that institutional design substantially influences outcomes.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of influences

Verb

He’s pivoted nicely from relying on Aemond and Vhagar to a plan that involves sowing chaos and propping up a challenger by, among other things, printing new money with the challenger’s face on it.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Another Schiller inquiry involves the familiar complexities of Medicare.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 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

New World screwworm, a concerning pest that mainly impacts livestock and wildlife, was detected in South Texas in June 2026.

— Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Baker, and Latimore explained to THR how the blended family of raising six children between them and Tiffany impacts this final season.

— Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

Definition of impacts

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