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effective communication
meaningful communication
persuasive communication
good communication
successful communication
essential communication
an effective tool
an useful tool
an efficient tool
a potent tool
a powerful tool
a viable tool
an effective dose
a sufficient dose
an adequate dose
a potent dose
a healthy dose
effective management
productive management
successful management
proper management
high-impact management
efficient management

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 Meanwhile, my go-to gentle yet effective cleansers are Pavitt’s face wash or IS Clinical’s. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 Rather, the Endangered Species Act provides more effective protection for habitats that happen to be on federal land as opposed to private land. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025 That level of mismatch won’t happen to that extent at home, but the lines were far more effective with McMann up with Tavares and Pontus Holmberg coming to help Domi out defensively. James Mirtle, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 And learning how to adapt and how to provide the real solutions to the concerns and fears in coal communities would be a more effective strategy than promising them a return that isn't going to happen. Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • Because dogs learn by association, rewarding them with a treat or praise for their good behavior is essential to make training more efficient and also more appealing to them.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This method is mathematically more efficient because higher interest debts cost more to carry.
    Judy Lagrou, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Either way, there do not appear to be many other compelling paths for either Cargill or Naomi to take after WrestleMania 41 that don’t involve each other.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Golden State shuts down Jalen Green Game 4 was marred by a myriad of skirmishes, which detracted from the actual basketball to some degree, but the Warriors’ pressure on Jalen Green — and how the Rockets responded — will ultimately determine how the rest of this series plays out.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The mostly instrumental project kicks off its time at No. 37 on the Official Soundtrack Albums chart, joining the actual soundtrack inside the top 40.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Daniel Farke’s side could not have been more convincing in their final push for the Premier League.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Tonge is convincing in his conclusion that the religious orders are a permanent feature of Turkish politics and public life.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington has repeatedly threatened to abandon its peace efforts unless there is real progress.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • And Gandolfini was right: The series almost wasn’t cast authentically with real Italian actors.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Estimates of people with other arrhythmias are less conclusive, but in general, people with arrhythmias are at higher risk of having heart attacks or strokes and dying early, Pell said.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
  • While some studies have found potential associations—often at higher-than-recommended levels—experts caution that the evidence is mixed and not conclusive.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If false narratives start to snowball, respond quickly with clear, factual messaging and a human voice.
    Taazima Kala, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This article has been updated with additional information and remarks. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

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