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Definitions

effective

[ih-fek-tiv, ee-fek‐] / ɪˈfɛk tɪv, iˈfɛk‐ /
ADJECTIVE
successful, persuasive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active adequate compelling competent direct efficient forceful impressive potent powerful practical successful useful valid
STRONG
effectual efficacious
WEAK
able big-wheel capable cogent convincing emphatic energetic forcible having lead in pencil live moving on the ball operative persuasive playing hardball powerhouse producing resultant serviceable serving sound striking telling trenchant virtuous wicked yielding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
helpless impotent inadequate incapable incompetent ineffective inefficient insufficient unable useless weak worthless
STRONG
unproductive unsuccessful
WEAK
fruitless inoperative
ADJECTIVE
in use at the time
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active direct dynamic
WEAK
actual current in effect in execution in force in operation operative real
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inactive
WEAK
fruitless impotent incapable ineffective inoperative unproductive useless weak

Usage

What are other ways to say effective? The adjective effective is applied to a person or a thing that has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective boss, remedy, speech. Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine. Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It also has some surprisingly effective dramatic moments, such as when she confesses to being such a careerist that she missed her kids’ childhoods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

That move, effective July 1, leaves the city as LAHSA’s primary funder and poses a significant question: Will the city stay with the embattled agency or will it, as the county did, jump ship?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

European regulators found children are able to easily create an account by entering a false date of birth, and said Meta had "no effective controls" to check.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

One of its projects is to identify which plants are most effective for supporting pollinators including bees, wasps, butterflies and moths.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Remarkably effective, the boycott reduced sales between 15 and 20 percent for a total loss to the targeted businesses of around a million dollars.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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