affects 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of affect

affects

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of affect

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
It isn't completely understood how ibogaine works, but scientists know ibogaine affects the brain’s reward and pleasure system. Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Autism is a complex developmental condition now known as autism spectrum disorder that affects people in different ways. ABC News, 4 July 2026 Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome affects the kidneys and causes a wide range of symptoms, including blurred vision, low blood pressure, acute shock, internal bleeding and kidney failure. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 How the third elbow surgery of Ragans’ career affects next season is not only a relevant topic of conversation but a mandatory one. Sam McDowell July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 The glycemic index reflects how food affects blood sugar levels. Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 2 July 2026 That's especially important because financial stress often affects how people approach debt problems. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Family support is sometimes particularly important because addiction rarely affects individuals in isolation. Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affects
Verb
  • Politics influences how judges rule almost everywhere in the world.
    Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
  • Ferritin is essential for oxygen transport (hemoglobin) and also influences energy production, hair growth cycles, cognitive function, mood, and thyroid metabolism.
    Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Part of Exemplar’s plan to focus more on luxury involves shrinking its footprint, going from around 170 stores last year to just 49 now.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 June 2026
  • If the dumping involves hazardous materials, commercial waste or much larger amounts of trash, the offense can be charged as a felony, with fines that can reach $50,000 or more.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Swanson earned the national championship in the Postsecondary Collision Damage Appraisal Division, a competition that simulates the work of professional collision estimators and insurance appraisers, according to a press release from the college.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • The mission simulates a scenario in which a maneuverable satellite rapidly approaches and inspects another spacecraft that is not cooperating.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Tawanda Davis moved from her home on Bristol Street in March, but the explosion still haunts her.
    Brandon Goldner, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Eventually, Armand killed Nicky while Lestat watched, an act of violence that still haunts Lestat to this day.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • If an employee does not understand that their digital behavior impacts business continuity, no investment in cutting-edge software will be enough.
    Vicente Pava, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • What is a screwworm According to the USDA, the New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that impacts livestock, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, people and birds.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • What concerns me is that many yung people are not indoctrinated about what the flag means.
    Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The show only pretends to be organized around romantic couples.
    Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • The sequence in which Carmy tries to talk Richie down from a panic attack feels equally dynamic and alive right to its conclusion — when Carmy pretends they’ve gotten locked in, just as Carmy once was, to mess with Richie’s head.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Old Second is a married gay man who frequents the cinema while his wife, Bao Mei, sells movie tickets.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on affects

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster