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
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
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
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 effete
Once again, there are the effete snobs and the salt-of-the-earth people who tolerate them.
—
TIME, 9 Oct. 2023
Garden gazing balls by Sula Bermúdez-Silverman are grasped by the upright claws of an imperial eagle, the spheres filled with homey substances like hair gel and studded with effete fragments of colonial treasure — bits of coral or silver sugar tongs.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
But with the advent of the Great Depression and World War II, his urbane, effete mannequins fell out of favor.
—Dan Avery, NBC News, 7 June 2023
As the effete mentor to Wayne in the film's first half, Neeson nicely toys with the audience without tipping his hand.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for effete 
TIME, 9 Oct. 2023
Garden gazing balls by Sula Bermúdez-Silverman are grasped by the upright claws of an imperial eagle, the spheres filled with homey substances like hair gel and studded with effete fragments of colonial treasure — bits of coral or silver sugar tongs.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
But with the advent of the Great Depression and World War II, his urbane, effete mannequins fell out of favor.
—Dan Avery, NBC News, 7 June 2023
As the effete mentor to Wayne in the film's first half, Neeson nicely toys with the audience without tipping his hand.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for effete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effete
Adjective
-
There was alarm at the prospect of hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning to the U.S. with such degenerate experience under their belts, and presumably spreading these habits among hitherto innocent American wives.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
-
Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Why Does Taste Sensitivity Matter for Weight Loss? Previous research on how people with obesity perceive taste suggested that weaker taste sensitivity may cause some people to eat more of certain foods to feel satisfied.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Trade Desk missed fourth-quarter revenue estimates and issued weak guidance.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Smocked detailing in the back and adjustable straps ensure a comfortable, custom fit, while soft ruffles and an A-line shape add feminine flair.—
Kaitlin Marks,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Out of all the body types, the hourglass shape is considered the ideal type because of the feminine proportions of an hourglass, in which the bust and hips are wider than the waist.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The end result is a decadent gown that aligns with the cherry red gowns that went down the runway at the brand’s recent presentation.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Choose from savories like Maine lobster and caviar sandwiches and decadent sweets such as a Sacher torte, all while sipping from exquisite glassware.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump mocked Biden as feeble and the worst president ever.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Iran’s various proxies—Hamas and Hezbollah, in particular—have suffered major losses, and the Islamic Republic’s capabilities in both air attack and air defense have been exposed as feeble.—
Niall Ferguson,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In some regards, the third season feels like a soft reset.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Many who step away from heavy lash use find their face appears softer and more youthful without them.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
In both sketches, Keaton plays an effeminate man who doesn’t quite understand the assignment.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes,
20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Thesaurus Entries Near effete
Cite this Entry
“Effete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effete. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share