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effective communication
meaningful communication
persuasive communication
good communication
successful communication
essential communication
an effective tool
an useful tool
an efficient tool
a potent tool
a powerful tool
a viable tool
an effective dose
a sufficient dose
an adequate dose
a potent dose
a healthy dose
effective management
productive management
successful management
proper management
high-impact management
efficient management

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective effective contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of effective are effectual, efficacious, and efficient. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.

an effective rebuttal

When can effectual be used instead of effective?

The words effectual and effective can be used in similar contexts, but effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.

the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual

When could efficacious be used to replace effective?

The words efficacious and effective are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.

a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease

Where would efficient be a reasonable alternative to effective?

While in some cases nearly identical to effective, efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.

an efficient small car

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 Content marketing is a multi-billion-dollar sector, with more companies allocating this highly effective outreach method as part of their marketing budgets. Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Reducing reminders of the past is one of the most effective ways to allocate focus on self-recovery. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Ignoring these threats and relying solely on existing norms for protection is not an effective countermeasure. Andrew Hanna, Time, 13 Apr. 2025 The landscape has shifted, requiring not only new tactics but a fundamentally different perspective on what constitutes an effective job search. Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • The senior guard shot 5-10 from the three-point line in the win, and Marquette will need another efficient game out of Jones to have the best chance at advancing.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The Kings were outscored by 21 points during LaVine’s 36 minutes, despite LaVine shooting an efficient 7-of-13 from the floor.
    Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • JPMorgan upgrades Levi Strauss to overweight from neutral The firm said the jeans company has a compelling entry point.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The free cash flow chart also displays the value of Tesla’s actual free cash flows for the period 2020 through 2024.
    Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Both chambers must approve it before lawmakers can begin building out the legislation with actual policy.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For years, getting travelers to see Athens as more than a transient city would take some convincing; the extent of their stay at the best hotels in Athens would merely include a brief bucket-list visit to the Acropolis before scurrying off to the Greek islands.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Some scammers go all the way to produce convincing looking alternatives to pages for organizations that seem so real, like a courier service.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Following Hailey’s response to the content creator, fans praised the Rhode founder for giving real, relatable feedback.
    Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Consistency is key: Heintzman recommends dry brushing at least once a week to get real results.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health concur that there is conclusive evidence that alcohol causes several types of cancer.
    Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Anecdotes from such sources are, of course, far from conclusive.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Felonious Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has launched another appeal of her conviction and sentence, claiming that a three-judge panel that shot down her first appeal in February was confused on one point, illogical on another, and made factual mistakes in hearing her case.
    Mercury News, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

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