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
Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Adding probiotics to the diet, through foods or supplements, affects the gut microbiome.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2026
Here, registered dietitians share how drinking milk every day affects your body, plus how much to drink for the most benefits.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Sleep rids the brain of toxins and affects the lungs and energy.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The team plans to lead focus groups with young people to better understand how problematic social media use affects mental health.
—Crista Marchesseault, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
That lack of clarity somewhat affects this episode.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2026
Using smokeless nicotine products only affects the person consuming them; no one else.
—Bautista Vivanco, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The power of Title IX, which requires equity in educational opportunity for men and women and affects college sports deeply, has been on contested ground during the past few years as NIL has thrived.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mastectomies are lifesaving surgeries that remove a patient’s breasts to treat breast cancer, which affects 1 in 8 American women over their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society.
—Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Adding probiotics to the diet, through foods or supplements, affects the gut microbiome.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2026
Here, registered dietitians share how drinking milk every day affects your body, plus how much to drink for the most benefits.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Sleep rids the brain of toxins and affects the lungs and energy.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The team plans to lead focus groups with young people to better understand how problematic social media use affects mental health.
—Crista Marchesseault, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
That lack of clarity somewhat affects this episode.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2026
Using smokeless nicotine products only affects the person consuming them; no one else.
—Bautista Vivanco, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The power of Title IX, which requires equity in educational opportunity for men and women and affects college sports deeply, has been on contested ground during the past few years as NIL has thrived.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affects. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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