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. David Oyelowo:

   I really hope and pray that our film in some way shows what was effective in the past and how it can be effective going forward.

2. Tom Wolf:

   I want to give this joint bipartisan commission on the death penalty the ability to come up with their report, is it cost effective? Are we doing the right thing? Is it fair? Is it effective as a deterrent?

3. Loretta Mester:

   If effective monetary policy means taking away the punch bowl just as the party gets going, then effective financial stability policy might mean taking away the punch bowl before the guests have even arrived because the risks to financial stability build up over time and action likely needs to be taken earlier in order to be effective.

4. Stephen Covey:

   Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.

5. Aristotle:

   It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences.