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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb effect contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of effect are accomplish, achieve, discharge, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When is accomplish a more appropriate choice than effect?

The words accomplish and effect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How are the words achieve and accomplish related as synonyms of effect?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

In what contexts can discharge take the place of effect?

While the synonyms discharge and effect are close in meaning, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

When might execute be a better fit than effect?

Although the words execute and effect have much in common, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When can fulfill be used instead of effect?

While in some cases nearly identical to effect, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When would perform be a good substitute for effect?

The meanings of perform and effect largely overlap; however, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of effect
Noun
The law asks streaming services to follow the Federal Communications Commission’s Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, which went in to effect in 2012 for linear TV and radio but does not currently apply to streamers. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025 Although the refinery fire occurred in Southern California, one expert said the effects will likely be felt across the state. Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025 But when a larger number of particles are involved, these quantum mechanical effects usually become insignificant. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025 Unhealthy—Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effect
Noun
  • The comedically top-heavy sausages, which can easily topple forwards into the dirt, temporarily take center stage as the baseball players gaze on in amusement from their dugouts, sometimes wagering on the outcome.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The film benefits from its avoidance of a too-tidy, sentimental outcome, even if some in the audience might be left craving one.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The show was marred only by an audio mix that dimmed Coleman’s evocative voice amid a wash of instruments — at least from this reviewer’s spot in the Fox — but the Red Clay Strays’ impact shone through nevertheless.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
    Nashville Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The service up to them has been lacking in quality, but finding a way to retain possession would be helpful.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • That matters when a game is decided by one possession.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Forest County Potawatomi Chairman Brooks Boyd said the shutdown is not causing any meaningful impacts to tribal services at the moment.
    Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The cause was classified as norovirus, a contagious virus that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and is commonly known as the stomach flu.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Restoring trust means delivering results, not excuses, through mandatory ethics training for all city staff to ensure accountability.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, those reforms, though still in their early stages, were yielding impressive results.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The questions remain, however, as to the extent of such interest rate cuts amid more political influence.
    Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • China is turning climate action into industrial advantage, financial leverage, and geopolitical influence.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The spaces are smaller, with lower benches, and the older players, flitting between dressing rooms for U14s and U12s, have had to take their belongings home each day rather than leave them in lockers due to the carousel of teams moving in and out.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Was there an auction for Ed Gein's belongings after he was arrested?
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Department of Homeland Security has detained hundreds of TPS holders from Venezuela nationwide, creating confusion about how the protections are being applied.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats want to overturn spending cuts Republicans approved earlier in the year for Medicaid, which provides health insurance for Americans living in or near poverty, and extend insurance subsidies created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effect. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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