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
Jack Buffington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Even just rolling your head in one direction affects how that sled tracks on the ice.
—Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
If what is displaced is clarity about nutrient density, information that directly affects diabetes and cardiovascular disease, those trade-offs matter.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
The recall affects products distributed in more than 20 states and involves over 6,300 total units.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
How the bankruptcy filing affects a $110,000 fine imposed on Thompson in August from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for 22 state statute violations isn’t clear.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
In Colorado, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people.
—Jack Buffington, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Carnival's price increase on the bottomless bubbles beverage package only affects adults.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Some time windows are more sought after than others, which affects the cost of specific spots.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
In Colorado, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people.
—Jack Buffington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Even just rolling your head in one direction affects how that sled tracks on the ice.
—Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
If what is displaced is clarity about nutrient density, information that directly affects diabetes and cardiovascular disease, those trade-offs matter.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
The recall affects products distributed in more than 20 states and involves over 6,300 total units.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
How the bankruptcy filing affects a $110,000 fine imposed on Thompson in August from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for 22 state statute violations isn’t clear.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
In Colorado, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people.
—Jack Buffington, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Carnival's price increase on the bottomless bubbles beverage package only affects adults.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Some time windows are more sought after than others, which affects the cost of specific spots.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
