effectual
adjective
Synonyms
- effective
- efficacious
- efficient
- fruitful
- operative
- potent
- productive
Example Sentences
Glamour, 26 May 2022 The comedy of Dugan’s writing and delivery aren’t all that effectual. Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2021 The work continues—certainly more effectual, if not louder, than the sound bites. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2020 Susan’s affectionate, dexterous, sensible activity was never more wanted, or more effectual. Longreads, 27 Mar. 2020 The most that can be decisively taken from all this is that the factors that render radical action productive or counterproductive, effectual or ineffectual, are complex. Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 30 May 2020 The effectual difference between them is like the difference in Coke, Pepsi, and RC Cola. Richard Mann, Field & Stream, 16 Apr. 2020 The iron dike invented by Mr. S. B. Driggs, of New York, seems to put an effectual barrier in the way of these destructive agents. Daniel C. Schlenoff, Scientific American, 13 July 2018 While history may remember Tillerson as one of the least competent and effectual secretaries of state in modern American history, in the final analysis, that’s not why he was fired. Jonah Shepp, Daily Intelligencer, 14 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Middle English effectuel, effectual "efficacious, effective, legally binding," borrowed from Anglo-French effectuel, borrowed from Medieval Latin effectuālis, from Latin effectu-, stem of effectus "achievement, result, effect entry 1" + -ālis -al entry 1
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
effectual
adjective
effectual
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- efficient
- effective
- potent
- efficacious
- productive
- adequate
- operative
- fruitful
- useful
- practical
- capable
- convincing
- practiced
- skilled
- adept
- practicable
- proficient
- expert
- competent
- skillful
- cogent
- experienced
- feasible
- valid
- masterly
- accomplished
- dynamic
- telling
- hyperefficient
- striking
- practised
- realizable
- active
- veteran
- versed
- sound
- workable
- ultraefficient
- functional
- useable
- virtuoso
- usable
- applicable
- killer
- consummate
- working
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ineffective
- ineffectual
- useless
- inefficient
- inoperative
- fruitless
- incapable
- unproductive
- counterproductive
- incompetent
- vain
- futile
- unfruitful
- unskilled
- unqualified
- inexperienced
- unsuccessful
- abortive
- hollow
- idle
- unprofitable
- empty
- worthless
- pointless
- unskillful
- inoperative
- unavailing
- inexpert
- bootless
- unseasoned
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of effectual are effective, efficacious, and efficient. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.
The synonyms effective and effectual are sometimes interchangeable, but effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.
The meanings of efficacious and effectual largely overlap; however, efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.
Although the words efficient and effectual have much in common, efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.