special effects

NOUN

special film techniques

Synonyms

WEAK

FX animation mechanical effects optical effects process photography

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.

The more intricate Rocky puppet that appears on screen was later designed by Neal Scanlan, a legendary special effects artist, at the Creature Shop in London.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Yellowstone elevated television to a new level, and did so without special effects or CGI, but instead via a combination of compelling story, strong writing and acting, and cinematography that rivaled that of movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

In contrast, working on Mercy was "like a long performance of a two or three-act stage play", but "with special effects on a par with any of the great big blockbusters".

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

Umba, the movement specialist underneath the simian special effects, is convincing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Lights popped and caught fire as all the special effects in the building were triggered at once.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan