Affected

Affected can mean experiencing the impact of something (e.g., a disease or emotion), behaving in a way that is not natural or genuine (often used negatively to describe someone's behavior or speech), or designed or assumed to have a specific impact or influence. It suggests an outward display that might not accurately reflect the underlying reality. This word has multiple nuances depending on its usage, but generally implies a state of being changed, influenced or intentionally displayed.

Affected meaning with examples

• The town was deeply affected by the sudden closure of the factory; many families lost their jobs and the local economy suffered significantly. This created significant changes within the town and in the future.
• Her affected accent and overly dramatic gestures made her seem insincere; everyone thought she was putting on an act just to draw attention to herself.
• The new law was designed to **affect** positive change in the education system, but its long-term implications remained uncertain to some, creating discourse.
• He remained emotionally affected by his childhood trauma, even many years later; it would impact his decisions and behaviours as an adult.
• The artist's use of bold colors was affected to create a sense of unease in the viewer, aiming for a specific reaction when viewing his work.