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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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For reasons still not wholly understood, these ultradense objects—each about the mass of our star squeezed into a bizarre, city-sized ball of degenerate quantum matter—undergo starquakes in which the material on the surface shifts a bit like in an earthly tremor.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
22 Jan. 2026
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The conceit is probably most similar to Mark Monroe’s Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose, a four-part HBO film that the baseball career hits leader and reluctantly admitted degenerate gambler hoped would reopen establishment doors and set him up for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Trump has directed his ire toward the Department of Labor agency ever since former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer authorized the release of a weak jobs report last summer.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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Procedures harden, decision paths lengthen, and people wait for permission rather than acting on weak signals from the environment.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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According to health officials, Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
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The risk is highest for the very young and very old, and those with weakened immune systems.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The peep-toe shoes (a style that’s slowly but surely making its way back into the limelight), pink manicure, and rosy blush on her cheeks add more subtle feminine touches.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
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Overall, guests were enthusiastic about the new direction of Chanel couture, which was light and feminine.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Inside, Kathryn Newton mingled with Chace Crawford near a decadent charcuterie spread and a piano mysteriously strewn with bread rolls and roses.—
Rachel Marlowe,
Vanity Fair,
11 Jan. 2026
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Coming in a decadent chocolate-brown shade, this best-selling top will transcend the season to get ample wear year-round.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That said, international filmmaking is in feeble shape, partly because of the jambalaya of international co-productions, partly because of the inroads of television aesthetics, and partly because of the cloistered aestheticism of self-conscious art-house cinema.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
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The feeble job market may be keeping wage growth subdued, some economists point out.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Snag this extra-soft sheet set for 83% off, which is available in numerous colors and sizes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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So too is the ancient dining room at Scotti's, with its Chianti bottle candle holders dripping with wax and soft opera music always playing through the speakers.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Throughout the 1900s, and even into the ‘80s and ’90s, women often were encouraged to be more effeminate, and male counterparts were told to embrace their masculinity.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Phil initially teases Peter for being weak and effeminate.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Effete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effete. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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