1
as in to influence
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 to involve
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to simulate
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 to haunt
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 affect
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2025
The researchers are also eager to study how the popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs affect cognitive decline, since some early studies hint that the drugs may help to lower inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 July 2025
Indiana youth homelessness by county Who is most affected by youth homelessness?
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
But some classes of medications — from some beta blockers to diuretics to antidepressants — can affect the way people's bodies react to, or perceive, heat.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affect
Verb
Heatwaves have been sweeping through Europe this summer, with the most recent strongly affecting Greece and the southern Mediterranean.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2025
The researchers are also eager to study how the popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs affect cognitive decline, since some early studies hint that the drugs may help to lower inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 30 July 2025
Indiana youth homelessness by county Who is most affected by youth homelessness?
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
But some classes of medications — from some beta blockers to diuretics to antidepressants — can affect the way people's bodies react to, or perceive, heat.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affect
Video
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'
A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)
Cite this Entry
“Affect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affect. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share