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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective effective contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of effective are effectual, efficacious, and efficient. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.

an effective rebuttal

When can effectual be used instead of effective?

The words effectual and effective can be used in similar contexts, but effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.

the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual

When could efficacious be used to replace effective?

The words efficacious and effective are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.

a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease

Where would efficient be a reasonable alternative to effective?

While in some cases nearly identical to effective, efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.

an efficient small car

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 effective If his anti-violence prevention work from another city is shown to be effective and helps save lives, then that’s what matters. Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025 The most effective way to kill mosquitoes starts with cutting them off at the source, which means eliminating any puddles, containers or anything holding water around your home. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Oct. 2025 In an industry where advertising is constrained, earned media through cannabis trade outlets has become one of the most effective and strategic tools a brand can deploy. Cynthia Salarizadeh, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025 Cream of Tartar & Lemon Juice Paste Like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, cream of tartar and lemon shockingly has cleaning and brightening properties that are effective for lifting dirt and stains off grout lines. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • More efficient appliances have reduced bills over the decades.
    NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • However, compared to the typical American, Californians drive fewer miles, own fuel-efficient cars, and use mass transit.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Reducing their reliance on the grid, then, would involve compelling utilities to leave PJM, or securing electricity from alternative sources.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The African American History building was closed for unclear reasons (that seemed to me ominous), but the John Brown Museum right across the street had compelling displays about Brown’s attack and its aftermath.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Why and How Songbirds Sing Watching the actual bird sing its song is one of the best ways to learn the bird and song together.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The team found that actual methane and nitrous oxide emissions from these facilities were far higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s estimates.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Scammers piece these details together to build convincing attacks.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Scammers today can craft convincing emails that look exactly like those from customer support teams – addressed to you personally, written in perfect English, and offering help with everyday tasks.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And though there’s no doubt the Panthers don’t bring the same television audience as the Toronto Maple Leafs or the New York Rangers or even the rebuilding Blackhawks, the buzz in South Florida is very real.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The concept envisions drones flying ahead of vehicles to provide drivers with real-time views of the terrain.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That means kimchi's beneficial bacteria could potentially offset the hypertensive effects of sodium, although the research is not conclusive.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The condition has been studied for years with no real conclusive findings about what can be done to treat it.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Evaluating defamation claims where the report contains demonstrably false factual assertions.
    Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • MagellanTV has a streaming content offering that ranges across the history, nature, science, space and true crime genres, and a library of premium factual documentaries offered to consumers turning to streaming TV options.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Summit kept up the strong play as its defense forced and recovered a fumble from Dallas Simmons.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

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