effect 1 of 2

noun

i-ˈfekt How to pronounce effect (audio)
Definition of effectnext
1
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause better health is always one of the effects of improved hygiene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impact
the power to bring about a result on another religion has a profound effect on our lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in possession
effects plural transportable items that one owns the family packed up its household effects and moved to Florida

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

effect

2 of 2

verb

as in to cause
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) classroom presentations designed to effect greater interest in careers in scientific fields

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb effect contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of effect are accomplish, achieve, discharge, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When is accomplish a more appropriate choice than effect?

The words accomplish and effect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How are the words achieve and accomplish related as synonyms of effect?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

In what contexts can discharge take the place of effect?

While the synonyms discharge and effect are close in meaning, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

When might execute be a better fit than effect?

Although the words execute and effect have much in common, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When can fulfill be used instead of effect?

While in some cases nearly identical to effect, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When would perform be a good substitute for effect?

The meanings of perform and effect largely overlap; however, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of effect
Noun
The official told The News the ex-governor can’t make a commitment to that effect, though, due to complicating factors, such as construction costs and how they’ll be impacted by President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025 Children under 5, adults over 65 and pregnant women are most vulnerable to the worst effects. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025 Then, shortly after the tariffs went into effect, Mr. Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of his new tariffs after U.S. and global financial markets plunged. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025 The stock market fluctuated last week as Trump’s international tariff plan went into effect. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effect
  1. outcome
  2. impact
  3. possession
  4. cause
  5. result
  6. influence
  7. create
  8. resultant
Noun
  • The outcomes of these talks could alter American access to Japan's lucrative auto and electronics markets, and potentially affect agricultural exports, too.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • It’s frequently discussed that having a doula improves outcomes, including shorter labor and fewer interventions.
    — Essence, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • Large impacts, like collisions with asteroids or comets, could also have influenced Mars’s climate.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, so these job losses will have significant impact on the economy.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of impact
Noun
  • The brand is in possession of 36 loopwheel machines, which are rare to find and even more difficult to fix or find parts for.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, Danish authorities have maintained possession of the two friends' passports, according to Ray's family.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of possession
Verb
  • And there’s a biological reason for it: Broken heart syndrome occurs when intense emotional stress causes your heart to temporarily stop pumping properly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.
    — Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The tariff file has caused a high level of uncertainty both for consumers and businesses.
    — Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of cause
Noun
  • Friday’s result provided further clarity on the Heat’s draft pick situation.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Webb telescope observations could have occurred by chance or could be the result of previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b.
    — George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of result
Noun
  • That economic footprint is matched by political and organizational influence.
    — Ronak D. Desai, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • When a 1999 Top 100 list by a gay and lesbian publishing group failed to include Patricia Nell-Warren’s 1974 novel The Front Runner, many readers loudly objected, noting its influence on their own coming-out journeys.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of influence
Verb
  • The project is also intended to contribute to maintaining existing forests and creating new ones.
    — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of create
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    — James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of resultant

Phrases Containing effect

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effacing
effect
effected
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Cite this Entry

“Effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effect. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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