Affect (Verb)
Meaning 1
Make believe with the intent to deceive; "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The actor had to affect a limp to play the role of a wounded soldier convincingly.
- She began to affect a French accent to impress her foreign friends.
- As part of her disguise, she tried to affect a quiet and reserved demeanor.
- He started to affect a stutter in his speech to gain sympathy from people.
- The con artist would affect a friendly smile to lure in his next victim.
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Meaning 2
Act physically on; have an effect upon; "the medicine affects my heart rate".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The new policy will affect the entire company's operations.
- Smoking can severely affect your lungs and overall health.
- The cold weather will affect the crops and potentially lead to a shortage.
- Lack of sleep can affect concentration and decision-making abilities.
- Certain medications can affect kidney function and liver performance.
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Meaning 3
Connect closely and often incriminatingly; "This new ruling affects your business".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- This new development affects the relationship between the two business partners.
- The investigation will likely affect the stock prices of the company.
- The new policy will affect everyone in the chain of command.
- His family history of heart disease affects his chances of getting life insurance.
- The merger between the companies will affect hundreds of employees' jobs.
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Meaning 4
Have an effect upon; "Will the new rules affect me?".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The cold weather will definitely affect the crops this season.
- The rise in taxes could significantly affect the overall economy of the country.
- Her absence didn't seem to affect the team's performance in the game.
- The doctor explained that the medication might affect my ability to operate heavy machinery.
- The new zoning laws could potentially affect local business owners in a variety of ways.
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Meaning 5
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon; "This child impressed me as unusually mature"; "This behavior struck me as odd"; "he was dumb-struck by the news"; "her comments struck a sour note".
Classification
Verbs of feeling.
Examples
- The news of her grandmother's passing deeply affected her during the wake.
- The sight of the devastation after the hurricane struck a chord with many viewers.
- His insensitive comments affected her fragile ego, causing her to doubt herself.
- The discovery of her own mortality profoundly affected her perspective on life.
- Witnessing the abuse as a child greatly affected his ability to form trusting relationships as an adult.