Synonyms

effectively

American

[ih-fek-tiv-lee, ee-fek‐] / ɪˈfɛk tɪv li, iˈfɛk‐ /

adverb

in a way that accomplishes a purpose or produces the intended or expected results.

These scissors are no longer sharp and do not cut effectively.
You may not like all your coworkers, but you still have to learn to work effectively with them.
in actuality; in practice.

Allowing the legislature to take existing money for schools and use it for other purposes effectively means there will be no new money for education.
in a way that produces a vivid impression; strikingly.

The visually rich photographs are effectively displayed against the stark white gallery walls.

Other Word Forms

preeffectively adverb
quasi-effectively adverb
subeffectively adverb
supereffectively adverb
uneffectively adverb

Etymology

Origin of effectively

effective ( def. ) + -ly

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.

“Many of these individuals are effectively prisoners of bureaucratic incompetence, inaction, and indecision, held in place not by law, but by a system that has failed to move.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

"Instead, what matters is sustained advantage: who leads in capability, who embeds AI most effectively across their economy, and who sets global standards."

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Securities and Exchange Commission decided to effectively allow companies to unilaterally block shareholder proposals.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

In the study, one chelator was able to capture metal ions effectively, but it did so without distinguishing between different types.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

That life as we’ve known it—Jupe-and-Coop—will effectively be over soon?

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023