effectuate

verb

ef·​fec·​tu·​ate i-ˈfek-chə-ˌwāt 

-chü-ˌāt

effectuated; effectuating; effectuates

transitive verb

formal : to cause or bring about (something) : to put (something) into effect or operation : effect sense 2

… the insured or depositor relies on the insurer or bank to effectuate his wishes …

—William M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

… emphasizing the importance of institutions in effectuating good works …

—Aaron Wildavsky

effectuation

i-ˌfek-chə-ˈwā-shən 

-chü-ˈā-

noun

The defendant may waive effectuation of these rights, provided the waiver is made voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently.

—Irving R. Kaufman

Synonyms of effectuate

• cause
• create
• bring
• generate
• prompt
• do
• produce

Examples of effectuate in a Sentence

the hope that the greater social interaction between members of the different classes will effectuate greater school spirit

Recent Examples on the Web

For any demand in society, propaganda was required to effectuate change. — Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026

Many also encouraged people to vote in the upcoming mid-term elections, stressing that the people voted into public office are key to effectuating change. — Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Mar. 2026

The issue is that politicians have successfully sold the idea that buying a home is always better than renting and, without a coherent policy to effectuate that, have decided to throw the kitchen sink at the issue. — Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026

Respondents' conduct over the past months belie that his detention has been for the basic purpose of effectuating removal, lending further support that Abrego Garcia should be held no longer. — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed (with addition of -ate entry 4) from Middle French effectuer, affectuer, borrowed from Medieval Latin effectuāre, verbal derivative of Latin effectus "achievement, result, effect entry 1"

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for effectuate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

effectuate

verb

ef·​fec·​tu·​ate i-ˈfek-chə-ˌwāt 

effectuated; effectuating

formal

: bring about