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
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
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Recent Examples of effective
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It’s been replaced by a much less effective moment between Joel and his therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara.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
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It’s been replaced by a much less effective moment between Joel and his therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara.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
-
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
-
Chase Hunter leads the Tigers in scoring and is coming off an efficient 21-point game in their quarterfinals game against SMU.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
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
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The result is a quietly compelling body of folk that is evocative and poignant.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In simplest terms, the rate at which the universe expands on paper doesn’t match actual astronomical observations.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Your actual card number is never shared with the retailer, which lowers the risk of your data being stolen.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
17 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
-
That for real was like holding the mirror up to myself.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Back here in the real world, other Under 30 honorees are harnessing AI to tackle important problems.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 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
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By coordinating the release of factual messaging to friendly media institutions across both digital and traditional communication channels, messaging can reach stakeholders quickly and clearly.—
Jeffrey Bartel,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effective. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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