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 Facing the same team twice in a six-day span had Assad flashing seven pitches against the Giants, though his sinker was the most effective. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026 The model was particularly effective at identifying software vulnerabilities. Richard Hall, Time, 13 June 2026 Cutting caffeine for a stretch allows the body to lose that adaptation, so the stimulant feels effective again. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026 Predictive models are only as effective as the data behind them. Gregg Herrin, Fortune, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • Ryne Nelson scattered nine hits over seven efficient innings, while closer Paul Sewald survived Donovan Walton’s two-out homer in the ninth to lock down his 18th save in 19 chances.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
  • An ongoing challenge is that every idea that beats an efficient market eventually becomes stale.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Still, the long-term data and large sample size make the findings particularly compelling.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The findings offer a compelling response to Crick’s dilemma, reconciling the discordant timescales to explain how ephemeral molecules maintain memories that last a lifetime.
    Ajdina Halilovic, Wired News, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • But what made that quote so incredible were not the actual words, but rather the face on the person saying it.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Planning starts months in advance, Kathy Evers says, but the actual decorating only takes about five days, with the help of some 100 volunteers.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The May 2026 review in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found no convincing causal evidence that weight cycling itself permanently slows metabolism or causes long-term harm in people with obesity.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
  • Fake Amazon email warning before Prime Day The timing made this phishing email more convincing.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Not only without the ball, their were moments of real quality when Cape Verde recovered possession, zipping the ball around the Spanish pressure and often looking to play their way out with short passes into midfield.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Newsom doesn’t collect any real revenue from his podcast, but did report collecting more than $100,000 in publication fee and royalties last year for books he’s written.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • However, a three-judge panel selected by the executive committee for a legal assessment of the findings found that the investigation was not conclusive enough.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Lemongrass May Have Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects Though far from conclusive, there is scant evidence that lemongrass may exert beneficial effects on your blood pressure.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Bomanbridge, which is headquartered in Singapore with an additional office in London, brings a catalogue exceeding 5,700 hours across factual, wildlife, history, lifestyle and scripted genres.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 June 2026
  • The venture brings together two of the Netherlands‘ most innovative and successful indie doc and factual players.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Catherine Bracy, the CEO of TechEquity, a tech advocacy group that favors stronger AI regulations, speculated that the Anthropic employees were receiving advice to back Becerra because of his frontrunner status.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • Colorado Avalanche executive Joe Sakic followed a similar path, while others who enjoyed long on-ice careers and went on to win Cups as coaches like Quenneville and Randy Carlyle didn’t have nearly as strong of HHOF cases as players as Brind’Amour does.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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