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

\/\/ effected<\/em> sweeping reforms<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'accomplish' a more appropriate choice than 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ accomplished<\/em> everything they set out to do<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'achieve' and 'accomplish' related as synonyms of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Achieve<\/em><\/a> adds to accomplish<\/em><\/a> the implication of conquered difficulties.<\/p>

\/\/ achieve<\/em> greatness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'discharge' take the place of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms discharge<\/em><\/a> and effect<\/em> are close in meaning, discharge<\/em> implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.<\/p>

\/\/ discharged<\/em> his duties<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'execute' be a better fit than 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words execute<\/em><\/a> and effect<\/em> have much in common, execute<\/em> stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.<\/p>

\/\/ executed<\/em> the hit-and-run<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'fulfill' be used instead of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to effect<\/em>, fulfill<\/em><\/a> implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.<\/p>

\/\/ fulfilled<\/em> their ambitions<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'perform' be a good substitute for 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ performed<\/em> gymnastics<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the verb 'effect' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ effected<\/em> sweeping reforms<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'accomplish' a more appropriate choice than 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ accomplished<\/em> everything they set out to do<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'achieve' and 'accomplish' related as synonyms of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Achieve<\/em><\/a> adds to accomplish<\/em><\/a> the implication of conquered difficulties.<\/p>

\/\/ achieve<\/em> greatness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'discharge' take the place of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms discharge<\/em><\/a> and effect<\/em> are close in meaning, discharge<\/em> implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.<\/p>

\/\/ discharged<\/em> his duties<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'execute' be a better fit than 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words execute<\/em><\/a> and effect<\/em> have much in common, execute<\/em> stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.<\/p>

\/\/ executed<\/em> the hit-and-run<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'fulfill' be used instead of 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to effect<\/em>, fulfill<\/em><\/a> implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.<\/p>

\/\/ fulfilled<\/em> their ambitions<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'perform' be a good substitute for 'effect'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ performed<\/em> gymnastics<\/p>" } } ] }

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

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
Such exploitation becomes the starting point of movements whose aims and effects may ultimately be disastrous for America as a whole. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Wood Mackenzie research found that rising gas and LNG prices will start feeding into the region’s power prices in the second quarter of the year, with Singapore — where gas accounts for 85% of generation capacity — and the Philippines likely to experience the earliest effects. —Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026 In choosing to abstain from noisy pedal effects and clanging cymbals, Landowner whip up far more entrancing patterns that thrive in the tidiness. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026 Since then, surging energy costs — and the pass-through effects — have only made life more expensive. —Jessica Dickler,greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026 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. belongings
  8. create
Noun
  • Regardless of the outcome, Thune said that the vote helps Republicans go back on offense after weeks of intraparty tensions over the SAVE America Act.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Jim Steyer, the chief executive of Common Sense Media, said the outcomes so far show that the courts, state legislatures and foreign governments are now aligning to reshape Silicon Valley.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • MacEgan family speaks in court Before Abril was formally sentenced, the court allowed the MacEgan family to speak about the impact of these crimes and the family patriarch’s death.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • While the $6 million in damages a jury in Los Angeles awarded to the 20-year-old plaintiff — which the companies vowed to appeal — will barely register on their balance sheets, the impact of the verdict will likely be more damaging and harder to quantify.
    — Kurt Wagner, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of impact
Noun
  • And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The Gators can have that effect, simply sucking the will out of opponents with two, three, four shots in a possession, but the making of this machine is significantly more complex.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of possession
Verb
  • However, the historic warm winter rainfall and the late-winter heatwave have caused the black fly population to explode this year.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of cause
Noun
  • Grégoire, who led a list uniting the traditional left, the Greens and the Communists, claimed victory after estimates based on partial results placed him well ahead of conservative rival Rachida Dati, who acknowledged defeat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
    — USA Today staff, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of result
Noun
  • Critical minerals, electricity grids, nuclear technology, and clean-energy supply chains are, however, increasingly shaping geopolitical influence.
    — Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The second section begins, not too long after, with the narrator having just participated in a memorial-slash-symposium in Madrid honoring Thomas’s life and influence.
    — Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Williams had particularly meticulous records of her belongings and their cost.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Olivia Vergiels, a Haleiwa resident, returned to her home to find her floor and belongings covered in thick mud.
    — Isabel Yip, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of belongings
Verb
  • The preponderance of patients paying out of pocket for these products is actually creating this dynamic where the companies are lowering their list price to compete for cash-paying customers.
    — CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The controversial Crowsnest annexation petition in Castle Pines has been withdrawn by the developer, as Castle Pines prepares to consider creating an annexation policy.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of create

Phrases Containing effect

Browse Nearby Words

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 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on effect

Nglish: Translation of effect for Spanish Speakers

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