Only pretend to influence? (6)

I believe the answer is:

affect

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This clue could be a double definition.

'only pretend' is the first definition.
'affect' can be an answer for 'pretend' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'only' bit.

'to influence?' is the second definition.
(influencing is a kind of affecting)

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for affect that I've seen before include "impress" , "Influence; make pretence of" , "Put on" , "Make impression on or arouse sympathy in" , "Touch (feelings); pretend (to feel)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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