effeteness

noun

1
as in effeminacy

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2
as in tenderness

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for effeteness
  1. effeminacy
  2. tenderness
  3. softness
  4. impotence
  5. helplessness
  6. powerlessness
  7. invalidism
  8. defenselessness
Noun
  • This horror at effeminacy echoes across Baldwin’s novels and essays.
    — Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers theorized this could be in part because of greater stigma toward effeminacy in boys than masculinity in girls.
    — Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023
Definition of effeminacy
Noun
  • Prison is a place of survival and yes, the book is very keen on studying the ability to retain one’s tenderness in conditions that are intentional about callusing them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Few contemporary filmmakers so richly explore the concept of tenderness quite like Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • The formula is also packed with moisture-binding ingredients, including sodium lactate, PCA, and sodium PCA, alongside conditioning polymers that boost shine, softness, and manageability.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Testers loved the cushiony texture, which felt featherlight on skin while delivering a noticeable surge of hydration and softness.
    — Sheryl George, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of softness
Noun
  • Once again, Gulf leaders were shocked not just by American disregard for their preferences but also by the revelation of American impotence.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That approach lowers the risk of post-surgical impotence and improves the odds of regaining function within two years after surgery.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of impotence
Noun
  • Seattle’s helplessness extended to its lineup, as the Mariners were unable to cash in a single run against Gary Sánchez, who completed the shutout as a position player pitching.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Picture the anger and helplessness of watching that person bleed out through a video on your phone.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of helplessness
Noun
  • Unable to leave without military permission, Ridi confronts settlers who claim his yard as theirs, underscoring Palestinians’ powerlessness as violent outposts expand with scant police accountability.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The fast pace of technological change has intensified this feeling of powerlessness.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerlessness
Noun
  • Since the 1970s, feminist scholars have been actively documenting the ways menstruation has been used to ground false arguments about women’s weakness, invalidism, and inferiority in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
  • As Eliot went through a crisis involving his turn to Christianity, Vivien’s invalidism, and his mother’s death, his letters got more and more intense and confessional.
    — Christopher Tayler, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Definition of invalidism
Noun
  • The fragile defenselessness of the proud has proven mesmerizing.
    — Lo Patrick, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of defenselessness
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.

Browse Nearby Words

effete
effeteness
efficacious
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Cite this Entry

“Effeteness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effeteness. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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