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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
On Monday at 2:53 p.m. the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reported an air quality alert in effect until Tuesday at 6 p.m. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2025 This warning is in effect until Wednesday at 2 a.m. Protect yourself during a heat wave with these tips from the NWS Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Milwaukee River near Cedarburg: Flood warning in effect until Thursday evening. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Duties already in effect for weeks or months include a 30% tax on Chinese imports, 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on foreign cars. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effect
Noun
  • There are people that put a lot of effort into the outcome of our games, in here and all over the place.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
  • That could lead to a lot of very bad outcomes including death.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Iger spoke about the impact of merging the two streaming platforms in an earnings call, CBS News reported this week.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The media company looking to close the loopholes by the end of 2025, with the impact starting to appear in its financials by 2026.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • She’s charged with accessory after the fact to a second-degree felony, violation of probation and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Initally Cyprien's mother was charged with felony meth possession and gun theft while his father was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant from Texas and a domestic violence assault warrant in Nashville.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the move has caused Niger, the country in West Africa where the space rock was initially found, to question the legality of its export.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Severe storms and flooding in Muskego, Wisconsin, caused road closures, sewage issues, and damage to homes and businesses.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Padres relievers had the better game, but the Kershaw-Vásquez result was a two-run deficit.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The result was the same for a second straight year, with Everett failing to qualify for the postseason.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • More than one third of the world’s clothing is designed by brands with Lectra technologies, according to the company’s data, reflecting its widespread behind-the-scenes influence in manufacturing.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Open-source projects often wield a different, more substantial type of influence over technical standards, security protocols and even the ethical frameworks that govern the use of technology.
    Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That means teaching parents how to be their child’s calm center, how to interpret behavior as communication, and how to create home environments that foster cooperation and emotional safety.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Ahead of the season, Vrbo created its first-ever Gridiron Guest Report to share the top game destinations and matchups fans are traveling for this year.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The resultant fertilized dire wolf eggs were implanted into and born by surrogate dog mothers, resulting in the successful resurrection of an Ice Age-era species.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • After cooling, the resultant solid was ground into powder to produce the final pigment.
    Jay Kakade June 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effect. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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