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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 Williams also was an effective shot-blocker and rebounder in college — averaging 1.6 and 7.4 per game, respectively, in his career — and was a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year before his move to the SEC. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025 Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeartRadio Pandora Overcast Matt, who entered public service to be of help to his community, underscores the need to refocus on foundational issues, such as budgeting, infrastructure and effective governance in shaping public policy. Rex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025 The integrated fuel system ensures the Match puts out a strong, steady blaze more effective than any weak, flickering match flame. New Atlas, 27 June 2025 Noem are standing up for law and order and making our government more effective and efficient at enforcing the American people’s immigration laws. Luke Barr, ABC News, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • Without an accountant on staff, one of the most efficient ways to handle these responsibilities is by using accounting software.
    Mia Taylor, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • Today's dishwashers are much more efficient, using just 3 to 4 gallons of water per load.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • In a category full of compelling options, this is arguably the most compelling choice.
    Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • While summer nail color trends tend to be bright and sunny, with shades like swimming pool blue, cherry red, and butter yellow playing a starring role in a manicurist's palette, Robbie does make a compelling case for swapping your fresh white or jelly pink for an unexpected, gothy color.
    Allure, Allure, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even without actual mucus, suction cups with a water seal have been found to hang onto things 55 times longer than those without.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025
  • While ambition has soared, actual outcomes have continued to lag stubbornly behind.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hallucinations, when models generate convincing but false information, can mislead decision-making and create legal exposure.
    Shane Buckley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Why the latest PayPal phishing scam is so convincing Most phishing scams try (and fail) to impersonate big companies.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Jordan Campbell: What Filipe Luis has created at Flamengo is a real testament to what having a clear coaching vision can do.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The person behind the schoolboy video, which defended Duterte, claimed to the news agency that the views shared were collected from real students.
    Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The series had a rather shocking ending, and in some ways, seemed pretty conclusive.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Those observations proved less conclusive than had been hoped, but during the rest of the voyage, Cook was able to map the coastland of New Zealand before sailing west to the southeastern coast of Australia—the first record of Europeans on the continent's Eastern coastline.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • This expansive series was edited by Paul E. Blackwood, a scientist and educator with the US Office of Education, who also wrote government bulletins and surveys on science education research As interest in children’s science books grew, many educators stressed the importance of factual accuracy.
    Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025
  • Limited training data, large language model design and a lack of real-world experience can create responses that meet the best probable response instead of factual answers.
    Gaurav Basra, Forbes.com, 25 June 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 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

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