1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
the soft, effete society that marked the final years of the Roman empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
the outdoor adventure program takes effete youths and turns them into hardy campers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakened
lacking strength of will or character
the governor is too effete to take on the powerful special interests that really run this state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in feminine
of or relating to a man who has or displays qualities traditionally considered more suitable for women
wore a slightly more effete style of clothing in those days
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of effete
In this view, other European immigrants were unsuitable for civilizing the frontier—Southern Europeans were effete and decadent while Eastern European Jews were hapless in the woods and better-suited to urban, commercial spaces.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2025
Jesus Christ’s preaching of love and kindness and forgiveness is seen as weak and effete.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
This is bad enough, but then there’s the wide gulf of sensibility that separates Rock and Martin; the latter’s effete irony just doesn’t gel with Rock’s political trenchancy.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
The Portnoy in the pizza videos often has a preening, fussy, almost effete quality that complicates his butch self-image.
—Willy Staley, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effete
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2025
Jesus Christ’s preaching of love and kindness and forgiveness is seen as weak and effete.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
This is bad enough, but then there’s the wide gulf of sensibility that separates Rock and Martin; the latter’s effete irony just doesn’t gel with Rock’s political trenchancy.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
The Portnoy in the pizza videos often has a preening, fussy, almost effete quality that complicates his butch self-image.
—Willy Staley, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effete
Adjective
-
Like people, joints naturally degenerate over time, and arthritis is particularly common in older pets.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In his native Germany, he was reviled by the Nazis as a degenerate artist.—
Celia Bell
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Stevenson has become more intentional with his efforts to understand offensive concepts and routes and the ways opposing teams often attack his weak spots.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But this weaker god jumped in without hesitation and was gifted the ability to become Tonatiuh, the sun.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad may be contaminated by bacteria listeria monocytogenes, which can cause fatal infections in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, according to a news release from Kroger.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The expressive eyes, hyper-pigmented blush, and ultra-feminine style are all part of her signature face.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Her subsequent press wardrobe, in comparison, has delighted in her signature red carpet and glitzy event style, with super-feminine, dramatic silhouettes and princessy aesthetics.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Cheesecake Factory, which has had smaller, low-calorie versions of its decadent entrées on its menu since 2011, expanded its value options this summer in hopes of reversing negative traffic trends.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Rich, decadent, and full of flavor, the most popular recipe this month is Million Dollar Meatloaf.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is a good spot for them, though, as Josh Allen will have a lot of time against a feeble Patriots pass rush, and some people might think the Patriots’ 42-13 win over the Panthers actually means something.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In this scheme, free will was feeble, and sin could be blamed on dark forces inhabiting the body.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Take the front row, for example, where Russell was fitted with medium tires and Verstappen was on soft tires.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
These unique washcloths only need water to remove makeup like foundation, concealer, and blush, and are soft and gentle enough to wipe away stubborn mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow around the delicate eye area.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Phil initially teases Peter for being weak and effeminate.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
25 Sep. 2025
-
So in a move that no one had approved, Wayans put on an effeminate voice for the character in hopes Executive Producer Lorne Michaels would be angry.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Effete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effete. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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