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
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
The ban affects private destinations in the Bahamas managed by Carnival Cruise Line, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Weather affects more people than volcanism — namely, everyone, all the time — but some 800 million people live within 100 kilometers of an active volcano, and some (very rare) eruptions can also affect the entire planet.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
The recall affects certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE and GLC vehicles, a May 1 notice published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website reads.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Obviously, a small child going through so many challenges affects parents as well.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The weather service issued a similar heat advisory that affects much of the San Joaquin Valley, including the cities of Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield, Porterville and Visalia.
—Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue, including a person's skin and joints.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The truth is, in the US shingles affects about 1 million people each year and one in three people in their lifetime.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Verb
Just like life, everything affects everything else.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
The ban affects private destinations in the Bahamas managed by Carnival Cruise Line, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Weather affects more people than volcanism — namely, everyone, all the time — but some 800 million people live within 100 kilometers of an active volcano, and some (very rare) eruptions can also affect the entire planet.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
The recall affects certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE and GLC vehicles, a May 1 notice published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website reads.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Obviously, a small child going through so many challenges affects parents as well.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The weather service issued a similar heat advisory that affects much of the San Joaquin Valley, including the cities of Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield, Porterville and Visalia.
—Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue, including a person's skin and joints.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The truth is, in the US shingles affects about 1 million people each year and one in three people in their lifetime.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
