Thesaurus

effective

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of effective

1 producing or capable of producing a desired result

an effective treatment of the once-dreaded disease

Synonyms of effective

effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, operative, potent, productive

Words Related to effective

hyperefficient, ultraefficient

adequate, capable, competent

accomplished, adept, consummate, experienced, expert, masterly, practiced (also practised), proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso

cogent, convincing, killer, sound, striking, telling, valid

active, dynamic

useful, working

applicable, feasible, functional, practicable, practical, realizable, usable (also useable), workable

Near Antonyms of effective

counterproductive

incapable, incompetent, inexperienced, inexpert, unqualified, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful

abortive, bootless, futile, vain

empty, hollow, idle, pointless, unavailing, unprofitable, unsuccessful

inoperative, worthless

Antonyms of effective

fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, unfruitful, unproductive, useless

2 having the power to persuade

made an effective argument in favor of the proposal

Synonyms of effective

cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, forceful, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling

Words Related to effective

authoritative, definitive

sound, valid, well-founded

important, significant, weighty

material, pertinent, relevant

Near Antonyms of effective

groundless, invalid, shaky, unfounded, unsound

inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant

immaterial, irrelevant

Antonyms of effective

inconclusive, indecisive, ineffective, uncompelling, unconvincing, unpersuasive

3 existing in fact and not merely as a possibility

made the mistake of confusing the plant's production capacity with its effective output

Synonyms of effective

actual, concrete, de facto, existent, factual, genuine, real, true, very

Words Related to effective

attested, authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, valid, validated, verified

incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, inescapable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable

believable, convincing, literal, realistic, unmistakable, verifiable

authentic, bona fide, real-life, real-world

absolute, certain, final, hard, objective, palpable, positive, substantial, tangible

authoritative, certifiable, certified

Near Antonyms of effective

alleged, assumed, reputed, supposed

conceived, envisaged, envisioned, imagined, pictured, visualized

chimerical (also chimeric), fabled, fanciful, fictional, fictitious, illusory, legendary

fabricated, fake, imaginary, invented, made-up, make-believe, pretend, romantic

abstract, symbolic, unreal

Antonyms of effective

conjectural, hypothetical, ideal, inexistent, nonexistent, platonic, possible, potential, suppositional, theoretical (also theoretic)

Synonym Discussion of effective

effective, effectual, efficient, efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a result. effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.

- an effective rebuttal

effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.

- the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual

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

efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.

- a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease

Learn More about effective

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

Seen and Heard

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

show

WORD OF THE DAY

effigy

play

a figure representing a hated person

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games