Definition of effectivenext
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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 Warsh, like many economists, thinks the financial markets have become too dependent on Fed guidance, and that such direction is more effective in financial crises or economic downturns. Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 June 2026 The therapy proved effective, and Gillette's tumors shrank. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 June 2026 Educational content could become more personalized and effective. Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026 In simple terms, the future sun may be less effective at pulling Earth inward than scientists previously thought. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • But radically different approaches to AI hardware are being pursued today that may prove to be orders of magnitude more power-efficient.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • Swimming is metabolically the least expensive (near-neutral buoyancy needs no energy to support bodies), flying costs more, and running is the least efficient mode of animal and human locomotion.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Canada’s tournament has offered a different, but equally compelling example of home-field advantage.
    Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • This wasn’t the most compelling matchup at the beginning of the tournament, but chaos has tipped the scales in our favor.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Aman Beverly Hills, currently under construction and expected to open in 2028, will supposedly not only include a full luxe floor for plastic surgery recovery but actual operating rooms, a private garden just for patients and surgeons on call.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
  • But what about the actual ceremony?
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • That means the messages can look cleaner, the websites can appear more convincing and the operation can move faster.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
  • Strong as a curly-haired blond is less convincing at first sight—but the fact that viewers are able to meticulously judge this portrayal speaks less to the film and more to the way in which Zuckerberg has penetrated the collective consciousness.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • But what if the real story is something much bigger?
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • The investment bank was less enthusiastic about gold as a hedge, noting that higher real yields and a stronger dollar have weighed on bullion prices, while gold options have become relatively expensive compared with equity and rates derivatives.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • However, a three-judge panel selected for a legal assessment of the findings found that the investigation was not conclusive enough.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
  • Bartošák-Harlow said there's no conclusive evidence of who has and who has not paid a toll in the past, and there wasn't any sort of record, adding that companies should not be paying a toll for passage through an international waterway.
    Tom Bowman, NPR, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • The prior Minnesota Anti-SLAPP law required that the court make certain pre-trial factual findings which was held to violate the right to a jury trial.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Currently in pre-production and without a sales agent, the project carries strong environmental timeliness and a genuinely global geographic canvas that should attract factual commissioners.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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