affects

VERB

influence, affect emotionally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alter change disturb influence interest involve touch upset

STRONG

impinge impress induce inspire modify move overcome perturb prevail regard relate stir sway transform

WEAK

act on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue hold keep order remain

STRONG

calm discourage dissuade leave alone stagnate stay surrender

VERB

pretend, imitate

Synonyms

STRONG

act adopt assume bluff contrive counterfeit fake feign playact sham simulate

WEAK

aspire to do a bit lay it on thick make out like put on put up a front take on

Antonyms

STRONG

stop tell truth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The paradox is that Lee’s movie is itself that conversation, its characters engaging in a series of arguments, evenhanded and empathetic, about how race affects the lives we lead in America.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

Brian Shields said he used "to love the heat", but that since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis it affects him "hugely"

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

“It really affects me,” said Gomez, who has been living with HIV since 1996.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people each year and can occur in many different joints throughout the body.

From Science Daily • Jun. 23, 2026

These important studies establish the fact that the insecticidal poison affects a generation once removed from initial contact with it.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson