1
2
3

Try This Instead

For
Try This
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 With the repeal of GPO, known as Government Pension Offset, which was passed at the end of 2024, which is retroactively effective as of January 2024, your survivor benefit is no longer reduced by two-thirds. Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025 The brushroll has a tangle-resistant design to keep hair and pet dander from clogging your vacuum, and the vacuum can lay totally flat for effective under-couch cleaning or deconstruct into a hand vac size. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025 The North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide ban on all open burning and has cancelled all burning permits effective from 8 a.m. Friday until further notice. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025 Getting treatment For women experiencing pelvic floor muscle tension, pelvic floor physical therapy is often an effective treatment option to reduce pain and prevent muscles from becoming overly tight in the future, Falter said. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effective
Adjective
  • Illinois residents deserve a more efficient and effective governmental system than the current chaotic mix of unaccountable jurisdictions.
    David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • This Duke team is the second-most efficient the sport has seen since Ken Pomeroy started tracking efficiency in the 1996-97 season.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 6 Apr. 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
  • The result is a quietly compelling body of folk that is evocative and poignant.
    Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While there are no actual doors dividing living spaces in this condo, the arched doorways are covered by thick privacy curtains to cordon each space off from one another.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2025
  • But third secured a place in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League), as only the actual champions went into the Champions League then.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 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
  • In the end, the most convincing case for learning to love fission may be the grimmest—not so much green as dark green.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 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
  • On the other hand, the Fruity Gummy Candies are made with real fruit juice and puree and come from Germany, which is apparently known for its gummy candies.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nor is there any conclusive evidence on dosing and timing for supplements.
    Sarah Anzlovar, MS, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Stone, as he's done before without providing conclusive evidence, took aim at the Central Intelligence Agency.
    Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the most glaring factual error is the below, which says the Houthis killed three Americans last January.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
  • However, some of the most nefarious uses are increasingly in healthcare, where accurate, factual information and trust are critically important to good outcomes.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!