affected
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for affected, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Changed or influenced by something, often negatively.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Frequently asked questions
What does “affected” mean?
The word “affected” means changed or influenced by something, often negatively. In plain terms, either "changed by something" (neutral or negative), "fake/put-on" (about behaviour), or "emotionally moved.".
How do you pronounce “affected”?
“Affected” is pronounced uh-FEHK-tihd (/əˈfɛktɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “affected” in a sentence?
Here is “affected” used in a sentence: “The region’s crops were badly affected by the drought.”
What part of speech is “affected”?
“Affected” is an adjective.
Is “affected” a common word?
“Affected” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “affected” have?
“Affected” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: changed or influenced by something, often negatively.
What is the difference between affected and effected?
Affected means changed or influenced by something — 'areas affected by the storm.' Effected means brought about or caused to happen — 'changes effected by the new law.' The trick is that affect usually describes influencing something, while effect as a verb means to make it happen. Mixing the two up is very common.
What is the difference between affected and unaffected?
Affected means changed, touched, or influenced by something, often harmfully. Unaffected means the opposite: not changed or influenced at all, remaining exactly as before. If a power cut hits one street but not the next, the first street is affected and the second is unaffected.
What is an example of being affected by something?
A town affected by flooding has suffered damage from it; a person affected by bad news feels its emotional weight. In each case, something outside has produced a change — often a negative one — in the person, place, or thing that is described as affected.