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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of effete
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
And for centuries the fork remained suspect in Europe, as the effete accessory of aristocrats; as late as the 17th century, Louis XIV, amid the pomp of Versailles, is said to have insisted on grabbing food — off a gold plate — with his fingers.
—Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
Michael Urie lends an elastic face and sing-songy intonations to Sir Robin, and Ethan Slater’s dexterous physical humor, as a French mime, an effete prince and a naked puppeteer, is always welcome.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for effete
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
And for centuries the fork remained suspect in Europe, as the effete accessory of aristocrats; as late as the 17th century, Louis XIV, amid the pomp of Versailles, is said to have insisted on grabbing food — off a gold plate — with his fingers.
—Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
Michael Urie lends an elastic face and sing-songy intonations to Sir Robin, and Ethan Slater’s dexterous physical humor, as a French mime, an effete prince and a naked puppeteer, is always welcome.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for effete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effete
Adjective
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In a guest role that’s been extremely well hidden in the months leading up to the premiere, Bradley Cooper turns heel as Elijah Gemstone, a degenerate con man who sees right through Abel Grieves’s lucrative scam before plugging him in the forehead.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
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In theory, the walls of carbon nanotubes house a sea of degenerate electrons that have a similar density to metals.—
The Physics arXiv Blog,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Global Blue's weak February European shopper data released on March 5 did indeed work as a catalyst.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
-
In addition to a weak critical reception, the film became mired in controversy due to political comments made by lead actress Rachel Zegler in the run-up to its release; the casting of a Latina actress as the titular character; and the use of CGI to reimagine the seven dwarfs.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
There is something about Bausch’s modern, raw and feminine approach that strikes me deeply–her version, told from the victim’s perspective, offers a nuanced reflection on the role of sacrifice, victimhood and the act of sacrificing in our society, in love and in power structures.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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But under the guidance of Carolina and Camilla Cucinelli, the brand’s legacy now incorporates a distinctly feminine viewpoint, a shift that serves their family’s broader vision of balance.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The Bottom Line Picking a decadent dark chocolate that can also offer health benefits is totally doable.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 May 2025
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Tasters kept coming back to it for its delicate balance of light and buoyant tang with creamy and decadent texture.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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While Shawna and John were meant to be having a romantic anniversary dinner, Barb showed up unannounced and undermined Jennifer’s already feeble attempts at following the evening routine laid out for the young children.—
Sara Belcher,
People.com,
9 May 2025
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Rather than attempt a feeble defense of himself, Nick attacks June for the same willful ignorance her mother accused her of in Alaska.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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While investors remain hopeful for a soft landing for the U.S. economy, how severe could the situation become if another recession occurs?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The interior of my bZ Limited was comfortable, trimmed in appealing soft materials and roomy.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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So in a move that no one had approved, Wayans put on an effeminate voice for the character in hopes Executive Producer Lorne Michaels would be angry.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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In both sketches, Keaton plays an effeminate man who doesn’t quite understand the assignment.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes,
20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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In Benediction, Terence Davies had to split Siegfried Sassoon into two (Jack Lowden, Peter Capaldi) to create a comparably complex personality, but Scott’s Adam is all the more moving for being less refined, a performance of sustained fragility and unmanly truth.—
Armond White,
National Review,
29 Dec. 2023
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Why is his governess, Mrs. Brock, fired for encouraging Richard’s unmanly interest in poetry and music?—
Francine Prose,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Nov. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Effete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effete. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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