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.

Alzheimer's disease is an incurable type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior and progressively worsens, according to The Alzheimer's Association.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

Even when using the same mold, color can vary from batch to batch, and how it cools also affects the result.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

General Assembly on Tuesday agreed to limit refunds for four years to states that actually paid their obligations, meaning the change primarily affects the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million Americans.

From Science Daily • Jun. 28, 2026

The human mind can do only a few things at a time, and the order in which information comes in affects how that information is handled.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker