Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

effect

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of effect

1 a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause
  • better health is always one of the effects of improved hygiene
Synonyms of effect

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot
Words Related to effect

ramification

denouement (also dénouement), echo, implication, repercussion

afterclap, afterglow, aftershock

blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off
Phrases Synonymous with effect

matter of course
Near Antonyms of effect

consideration, determinant, factor

base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork

impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus

mother, origin, root, source, spring
Antonyms of effect

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
2 the power to bring about a result on another
  • religion has a profound effect on our lives
Synonyms of effect

impact, influence, mark, repercussion, sway
Words Related to effect

authority, clout, prestige, pull, weight

command, domination, dominion, mastery

consequence, importance, significance

sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy
Near Antonyms of effect

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness
3 effects plural transportable items that one owns
  • the family packed up its household effects and moved to Florida
Synonyms of effect

belongings, chattels, duds, gear, goods, holdings, movables (or moveables), paraphernalia, personal effects, personal property, personalty, plunder [chiefly dialect], possession, stuff, things
Words Related to effect

treasures, valuables

appointments, fixtures, furnishings

estate, property, tangibles

collateral
Near Antonyms of effect

immovables, real estate

effect

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of effect

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
  • classroom presentations designed to effect greater interest in careers in scientific fields
Synonyms of effect

beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield
Words Related to effect

conduce (to), contribute (to)

decide, determine

begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start

advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

enact, render, turn out
Phrases Synonymous with effect

bring forth, give rise to
Near Antonyms of effect

impede, limit, restrict

clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress

arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard

can [slang], kill, snuff (out), still

abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench

Synonym Discussion of effect

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.
    • performed gymnastics
execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.
    • executed the hit-and-run
discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.
    • discharged his duties
accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.
    • accomplished everything they set out to do
achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.
    • achieve greatness
effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.
    • effected sweeping reforms
fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.
    • fulfilled their ambitions

Learn More about effect

  1. See words that rhyme with effect Dictionary: Definition of effect Medical Dictionary: Definition of effect Spanish Central: Translation of effect Nglish: Translation of effect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of effect for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up effect? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

Listen to the pronounciation of purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  2. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  3. crawdad New novel makes waves

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games