effective, effectual, efficient, efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a result. effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.
an effective rebuttal effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.
the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectualefficient 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.
an efficient small car efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.
a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease
Examples of effectual in a Sentence
acting like a jerk has generally not been a terribly effectual dating strategy
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'effectual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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