Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for effective. Search instead for effektivstromes.
Definitions

effective

[ih-fek-tiv, ee-fek‐] / ɪˈfɛk tɪv, iˈfɛk‐ /




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.

Genetic risk can be detected, but there’s no effective treatment or cure.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The study’s results are the latest signal that retatrutide may be the most effective weight-loss medication in development.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

So far they're the only effective weapon to take down Russian ballistic missiles.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

"This suggests that prevention efforts may be more effective if they are tailored not just to risk factor prevalence, but to how strongly each factor affects cognition in women versus men."

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

Proper medical treatment couldn’t be effective, Farmer believed, without serving a patient’s other needs: basic education, habitable housing, clean water, food security, and hope for a better future.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French




Vocabulary lists containing effective


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "effective" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com