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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 The city is now asking its residents to change the mayoral terms to a four-year term, which would become effective in 2027. Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025 The study found that only 8 of 47 safety features tested were fully effective, and internal documents suggest that Meta was aware of some shortcomings. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025 But modern dentists are skeptical as to how effective this practice actually is at improving oral health. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 However, no effective plan has ever been implemented to definitively solve the city’s transit crises. Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • But Edison’s bulb was just one piece of a much more complicated system that included an efficient dynamo – the powerful machine that generated electricity – plus a network of underground wires and new types of lamps.
    Ernest Freeberg, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Lori Nickel shares how former Brewers player and now-associate manager Rickie Weeks finished his degree to become an efficient communicator.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This new Taiwanese series looks compelling.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That's what makes the minerals Perseverance spotted — particularly greigite in the leopard spots — so compelling.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Since some people recover from listeriosis without medical attention and never get tested, the CDC estimates that the actual number of people ill is probably substantially higher than reported, and that the outbreak may not be restricted to the states shown below.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • For a 2022 trip to Egypt for the COP27 conference, the budget accounted for $90,000 in airfare costs, but actual credit card expenses were at least $200,000.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Phishing scams often use convincing logos and language to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application goes live on October 1, but with student aid season underway, there is an onslaught of new and convincing scams within the education system.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Come for some of the best actresses of our time as power-hungry witches; stay for Stevie Nicks' cameo as a real one.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In this framework, the new recommendations are actively harmful, and not grounded in conclusive research.
    Dr. Sunny Patel, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The publication also noted that despite there being no conclusive evidence that Assata was directly to blame for the death of Foerster, New Jersey law stated that everyone involved was equally responsible for the murder.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Off Course was co-commissioned for the BBC by Catherine Catton, head of factual entertainment and events, and Eddie Doyle, head of Northern Ireland commissioning.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
  • May acted as his own attorney at a hearing that included prosecutors showing charts explaining in stark, factual ways what was on each video May is charged with distributing.
    Jeffrey Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, while vision isn’t their strongest sense, dogs may even be able to see certain aspects of a TV show.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The young right-hander put together a strong season, but few were better after the All-Star break.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

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