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
Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Robinson uses rats in her research to understand how the brain adapts to emotions and how that affects behavior.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
How pollen affects your body In order to nourish other plants of the same species, plants release pollen in the spring.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The recall affects Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, a pain reliever that comes in liquid form.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
How heat affects pigmentation Melasma is caused by overactive pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Using lower-fat buttermilk with additives affects how baked goods spread and brown.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Others defended Kennedy’s claims about the disease that affects 40 million people in the United States.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Scientists have long known that air quality affects running.
—Richard A. Lovett, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
While oil that traverses the strait is usually bound for Asia and other places rather than North America, the chaos still affects the United States.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Robinson uses rats in her research to understand how the brain adapts to emotions and how that affects behavior.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
How pollen affects your body In order to nourish other plants of the same species, plants release pollen in the spring.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The recall affects Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, a pain reliever that comes in liquid form.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
How heat affects pigmentation Melasma is caused by overactive pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Using lower-fat buttermilk with additives affects how baked goods spread and brown.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Others defended Kennedy’s claims about the disease that affects 40 million people in the United States.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Scientists have long known that air quality affects running.
—Richard A. Lovett, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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