1
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
an effective treatment of the once-dreaded disease gave an effective speech that won over many undecided voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compelling
having the power to persuade
made an effective argument in favor of the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
made the mistake of confusing the plant's production capacity with its effective output
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in conclusiveness
the capacity to persuade
the "guilty" verdict was all the proof needed of the effectiveness of the prosecutor's closing argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in efficacy
the power to produce a desired result
the huge upsurge in sales pretty much demonstrated the effectiveness of the new ad campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
your writing lacks effectiveness because practically every sentence is in the passive voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
effective communication
meaningful communication
persuasive communication
good communication
successful communication
essential communication
an effective dose
effective management
productive management
successful management
proper management
high-impact management
efficient management
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
Nik Popli, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Just last week, the president announced a 90-day pause in his tariff agenda, lowering the effective tariff rate on the EU from 20% to 10% while negotiations take place.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2025
But Fried, with a fastball that ranged from 91-97 mph and an effective curveball, kept Kansas City off the board from there.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
It’s been replaced by a much less effective moment between Joel and his therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effective
Adjective
The Yale University Budget Lab estimates that the inflationary effects of Trump’s tariffs amount to an effective tax of $4,900 per household.
—Nik Popli, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Just last week, the president announced a 90-day pause in his tariff agenda, lowering the effective tariff rate on the EU from 20% to 10% while negotiations take place.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2025
But Fried, with a fastball that ranged from 91-97 mph and an effective curveball, kept Kansas City off the board from there.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
It’s been replaced by a much less effective moment between Joel and his therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
-
Significant technical challenges remain, including the need for high-resolution displays, efficient chips, and compact batteries to enable a viable consumer product.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Because dogs learn by association, rewarding them with a treat or praise for their good behavior is essential to make training more efficient and also more appealing to them.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Either way, there do not appear to be many other compelling paths for either Cargill or Naomi to take after WrestleMania 41 that don’t involve each other.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Users and park supporters say the closures, both actual and potential, will likely reshape how people visit national parks this year, keeping more visitors closer to gateway towns and out of more remote areas.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There are safety measures in place to protect against the use of harmful mercury or lead in products, for example, but brands don’t have to prove the efficacy of cosmetic ingredients or submit drug requests with clinical studies to the FDA or any other regulatory body.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2025
-
After determining the most promising options, researchers then adjusted the guns to calculate an equation focused on a shield stack’s efficacy and performance.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Some argue that intangible traits have a significant impact on performance predictions, rather than relying solely on quantifiable factors.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
And one of the biggest impacts of those cuts, outlined in the documents, appears to be the complete closure of Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Tonge is convincing in his conclusion that the religious orders are a permanent feature of Turkish politics and public life.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Daniel Farke’s side could not have been more convincing in their final push for the Premier League.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Back here in the real world, other Under 30 honorees are harnessing AI to tackle important problems.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
That for real was like holding the mirror up to myself.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rather than focusing on the validity of Trump's executive action, the Justice Department argued that a judge in one part of the country shouldn't be able to block actions nationally.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The manipulation of the Death Master File itself has obliterated its validity as a data source for financial and commercial institutions.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share