Synonyms for effective
ɪˈfɛk tɪvef·fec·tive

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. effective

   Synonyms:
   adequate, advantageous, beneficial, competent, efficient, expedient, potent, powerful, profitable, real, serviceable, solid, sound, substantial, sufficient, useful, valid, valuable, worthy

   Antonyms:
   abortive, baseless, bootless, deceitful, delusive, empty, fruitless, futile, idle, inconstant, ineffectual, nugatory, null, profitless, shadowy, trifling, trivial, unavailing, unimportant, unprofitable, unreal, unsatisfying, unserviceable, unsubstantial, useless, vain, vapid, visionary, worthless

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effective

   Synonyms:
   powerful, conducive, operative, cogent, telling, able, potent, talented, efficacious, efficient, serviceable, effectual

   Antonyms:
   weak, ineffective, inconducive, inoperative, futile, nugatory

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effective, effectual, efficaciousadjective

   producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

   "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law"

   Synonyms:
   sound, in effect(p), efficient, efficacious, effectual, legal, in force(p), good

   Antonyms:
   ineffective, ineffectual, nonoperational, incompetent, inoperative, uneffective, potential, possible, inactive, inefficacious, toothless, unproductive

2. effective, efficientadjective

   able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively

   "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution"

   Synonyms:
   good, efficacious, effectual, in effect(p), efficient, in force(p)

   Antonyms:
   ineffectual, possible, inefficacious, inactive, uneffective, unproductive, inoperative, ineffective, nonoperational, incompetent, potential, toothless

3. effectiveadjective

   works well as a means or remedy

   "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"

   Synonyms:
   good, efficacious, effectual, in effect(p), efficient, in force(p)

   Antonyms:
   potential, possible, uneffective, unproductive, ineffectual, incompetent, toothless, ineffective, inefficacious, nonoperational, inactive, inoperative

4. effective, good, in effect(p), in force(p)adjective

   exerting force or influence

   "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"

   Antonyms:
   possible, nonoperational, ineffectual, toothless, inactive, unproductive, incompetent, potential, inoperative, inefficacious, uneffective, ineffective

5. effectiveadjective

   existing in fact; not theoretical; real

   "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"

   Synonyms:
   good, efficacious, effectual, in effect(p), efficient, in force(p)

   Antonyms:
   incompetent, ineffectual, potential, inactive, toothless, unproductive, inoperative, inefficacious, nonoperational, ineffective, possible, uneffective

6. effectiveadjective

   ready for service

   "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"

   Synonyms:
   good, efficacious, effectual, in effect(p), efficient, in force(p)

   Antonyms:
   toothless, inactive, ineffectual, nonoperational, inefficacious, ineffective, unproductive, potential, inoperative, uneffective, possible, incompetent

Matched Categories

1. • Military

Editors ContributionRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. cogentadjective

   Submitted by Providence on July 16, 2023  

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effectiveadjective

   Synonyms:
   competent, adequate, powerful, forcible, energetic, potent, cogent, sufficient, efficacious

2. effectiveadjective

   Synonyms:
   operative, active, efficient, effectual

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effectiveadjective

   Synonyms:
   effectual, efficient, potent, cogent, availing, productive

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "effective":

   efficient, effectively, effectiveness, actual, efficiently, valid, efficacious, efficiency, successful, cash, workforce, real, efficacy, effect, efficient, powerful, good, active, useful, ineffective, genuine, meaningful, force, cost-effective, well-functioning, strength, effective, starting

Suggested Resources

1. Effective

   Effective vs. Affective -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Effective and Affective.

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How to use effective in a sentence?

1. Michael McFaul:

   His interpretations are flawed and have some empirical pieces missing, but he's effective when he tells those stories.

2. Natalie Muth:

   We have tried, and failed, to curb sugary drink intake through education and individual choices alone, just like policy changes were necessary and effective in reducing consumption of tobacco and alcohol, we need policy changes that will help reduce sugary drink consumption in children and adolescents.

3. Robert Hathaway:

   I think inevitably both because of fiscal pressures and because of the nature of the warfare in Afghanistan we are going to see, a few years down the road, a smaller, leaner sleeker Afghan army, whether or not it will be a more effective army, I think, remains to be seen, but it's going to be a very, very tough slog ahead.

4. Pam Kocher:

   I know that the outsiders have attracted a great deal of attention but in order to really know how to work an institution like Congress and the White House, you have to have experience if you're going to be effective.

5. Christopher Smith:

   My personal tastes are not particularly lavish, effective altruists in my experience don't feel guilty about occasional indulgences.