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.

This suggests “that influenza vaccination remains an effective tool in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations this season,” according to the agency.

From Los Angeles Times

England's hyped - and hyper-fast - pace attack shone in dismissing Australia for 132 in their first innings of the first Test in Perth, but have struggled to be as effective since.

From BBC

"People with autism can struggle with this sort of processing. Having this information could help us better identify effective treatments," Knapen explains.

From Science Daily

"Because glycans are known to restrain the immune response to cancer in multiple tumor types, we suspect our molecules could offer new and potentially more effective treatment options for many cancer patients."

From Science Daily

As a cautionary tale, it’s way more effective than coal in the stocking.

From Los Angeles Times

effective

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words