Synonyms of effete

effete

adjective

i-ˈfēt 

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

• degenerate
• weak
• decadent
• decayed
• overripe
• degraded
• washed-up
• feeble
• weakened
• soft
• dissolute
• precious
• dying
• wimpy
• decaying
• failing
• frail
• enfeebled
• languid
• declining
• wasted
• debauched
• immoral
• depraved
• debased
• waning
• debilitated
• enervated
• demoralized
• enervate
• dissipated
• overrefined
• sapped

2

as in weak

lacking bodily strength

the outdoor adventure program takes effete youths and turns them into hardy campers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weak
• feeble
• weakened
• frail
• wimpy
• disabled
• languid
• enfeebled
• infirm
• faint
• slight
• wimpish
• tired
• debilitated
• soft
• asthenic
• down-and-out
• paralyzed
• wasted
• softened
• enervated
• prostrate
• unsubstantial
• delicate
• exhausted
• vulnerable
• low
• weary
• incapacitated
• injured
• tender
• fragile
• prostrated
• sapped
• impotent
• decrepit
• invalid
• drained
• powerless
• susceptible
• unsteady
• damaged
• dizzy
• breakable
• flimsy
• impaired
• woozy
• broken-down
• groggy
• rocky
• hurt
• unsound
• flagging
• resistless
• worn-out
• yielding
• unresistant
• harmed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerful
• mighty
• strong
• virile
• muscular
• stalwart
• rugged
• stout
• athletic
• brawny
• husky
• sinewy
• beefy
• hardy
• fit
• robust
• tough
• lusty
• hard
• able-bodied
• sturdy
• hardened
• vigorous
• energetic
• sound
• fortified
• competent
• capable
• healthy
• strapping
• red-blooded
• strengthened
• energized
• hale
• inured
• recovering
• toughened
• vitalized
• invigorated
• convalescing
• recuperating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weak
• weakened
• soft
• spineless
• wimpy
• wimpish
• corrupt
• frail
• characterless
• meek
• timid
• limp-wristed
• weak-kneed
• milk-and-water
• namby-pamby
• invertebrate
• weakling
• nerveless
• wishy-washy
• wet
• flabby
• ineffectual
• impotent
• ineffective
• flaccid
• powerless
• craven
• emasculated
• submissive
• unprincipled
• cowardly
• pusillanimous
• villainous
• unscrupulous
• lamblike
• dastardly
• unnerved
• forceless
• pliable
• irresolute
• sissy
• infirm
• nebbishy
• fainthearted
• poltroon
• lily-livered
• impuissant
• vacillating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• tough
• hard
• moral
• virtuous
• firm
• good
• principled
• ethical
• right
• righteous
• upright
• resolute
• backboned
• unrelenting
• determined
• stalwart
• courageous
• mettlesome
• stouthearted

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• feminine
• effeminate
• unmanly
• epicene
• sissified
• sissy
• womanish
• womanly
• foppish
• prissy
• spinsterish
• dandyish
• womanlike
• girlie
• girlish
• camp
• sappy
• dudish
• campy
• old-maidish
• overnice
• antimacho

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masculine
• manly
• virile
• mannish
• manlike

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of effete

And there’s an intriguing romance between Nancy and Hamish (James Musgrave), a slightly effete soldier whose lack of commitment, and indeed libido, suggests her taste in men might not be as sharp as her wit. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 17 June 2025

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

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