Synonyms of affects

affects 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of affect

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

• influences
• impacts
• impresses
• touches
• strikes
• reaches
• inspires
• sways
• involves
• interests
• tells (on)
• bothers
• moves
• gets to
• disturbs
• attracts
• fascinates
• concerns
• penetrates
• dazzles
• afflicts
• plagues
• troubles
• carries away
• worries
• engages
• perturbs
• stirs
• biases
• upsets
• entrances
• colors
• transports
• enchants
• pierces
• stresses
• enraptures
• ravishes
• distresses
• harasses
• tries
• enthralls
• captivates
• smites
• agitates
• disquiets
• charms
• wrings
• pesters
• flusters
• bewitches
• discomposes
• harries
• allures
• discomforts
• strains

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bores
• wearies
• tires
• palls
• jades
• underwhelms

2

as in involves

to be the business or affair of

fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• involves
• concerns
• touches
• relates (to)
• applies (to)
• pertains (to)
• refers (to)
• bears (on)
• implicates
• appertains (to)
• ensnares
• embroils
• entangles

affects

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of affect

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

• simulates
• pretends
• assumes
• acts
• passes (for)
• feigns
• professes
• makes believe
• conceals
• poses
• dissembles
• plays
• puts on
• counterfeits
• forges
• imitates
• bluffs
• shams
• fakes
• camouflages
• masquerades
• dissimulates
• impersonates
• masks
• lets on
• disguises
• playacts
• malingers
• feints

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

• haunts
• frequents
• visits
• hangs (at)
• resorts (to)
• habituates
• invades
• infests
• attends
• runs (in)
• patronizes
• calls (on or upon)
• camps (out in)
• stops (by or in)
• takes in
• overruns
• stays (at)
• stops (over)
• drops in
• drops by
• pops (in)
• swarms
• tarries (in)
• sojourns (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoids
• shuns
• escapes
• shakes
• eludes
• evades
• eschews
• ducks
• dodges

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of affects

Verb

Cramped by Kate Helen Downey is equal parts science, storytelling, and cathartic comedy about a problem that affects millions but is still treated like a punchline—or worse, ignored entirely. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 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

How wildfire smoke affects the body Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches, and a burning sensation in the nose and eyes. — Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

The drop in estrogen and progesterone directly and indirectly affects sleep, a phenomenon sometimes called hormonal insomnia. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

In addition to potassium and magnesium, quinoa contains soluble and insoluble fiber, which supports digestion and directly affects blood pressure levels. — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026

Hyundai said the issue affects the rear center seat belt buckles used in Kona vehicles. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 17 July 2026

West Nile, spread by mosquitoes in the Culex genus, affects about 2,000 people every year in the US and causes about 130 deaths, and this season is off to an early and ominous start, the CDC warned. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026