effectual
adjective
ef·fec·tu·al i-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l 
-chü(-ə)l;
-ˈfeksh-wəl
: producing or able to produce a desired effect
effectuality
i-ˌfek-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē
noun -chü-ˈa-
effectualness
i-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l-nəs
noun -chü(-ə)l-;
-ˈfeksh-wəl-
Synonyms
- effective
- efficacious
- efficient
- fruitful
- operative
- potent
- productive
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
after trying many remedies for the condition, he finally found an effectual one that actually helped
Recent Examples on the Web For more than 150 years, HBCUs have played a vital role in ensuring that African Americans and students of all races can receive a competitive education and become influential leaders and effectual changemakers. 
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
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
Etymology
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
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
effectual
adjective
ef·fec·tu·al i-ˈfek-chə-wəl
: producing or able to produce a desired effect
an effectual remedy
effectualness
noun
as in efficacy
the power to produce a desired result the effectualness of that new cancer treatment has yet to be proven Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- efficacy
- efficaciousness
- effectiveness
- efficiency
- efficacity
- productiveness
- ability
- potency
- strength
- capability
- edge
- capacity
- puissance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ineffectiveness
- inefficiency
- ineffectualness
- ineffectuality
- inability
- incompetence
- incompetency
- inadequacy
- inadequateness