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
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
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
Jones could keep operating his platform even while facing direct collection efforts, which affects employees, vendors, and business partners caught in the crossfire.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettuccine alfredo is also on the list but only affects four states – Texas not included.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
At home, Bedford’s condition affects nearly every aspect of daily life.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
By experimenting with different drops, ramps, and obstacles, tweens and teens see firsthand how gravity affects speed, motion, and direction.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
The change affects brands like Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and bettergoods.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Listeria monocytogenes, or Lm, is a bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and their newborns.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Her search for better care is part of what led her to a career studying the disease, which affects tens of millions of people worldwide.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dane revealed that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, in April.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
Jones could keep operating his platform even while facing direct collection efforts, which affects employees, vendors, and business partners caught in the crossfire.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettuccine alfredo is also on the list but only affects four states – Texas not included.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
At home, Bedford’s condition affects nearly every aspect of daily life.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
By experimenting with different drops, ramps, and obstacles, tweens and teens see firsthand how gravity affects speed, motion, and direction.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
The change affects brands like Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and bettergoods.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Listeria monocytogenes, or Lm, is a bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and their newborns.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Her search for better care is part of what led her to a career studying the disease, which affects tens of millions of people worldwide.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share