effete

adjective

i-ˈfēt How to pronounce effete (audio)
Definition of effetenext
1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit the soft, effete society that marked the final years of the Roman empire

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2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength the outdoor adventure program takes effete youths and turns them into hardy campers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakened
lacking strength of will or character the governor is too effete to take on the powerful special interests that really run this state

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4
as in feminine
of or relating to a man who has or displays qualities traditionally considered more suitable for women wore a slightly more effete style of clothing in those days

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 effete And there’s an intriguing romance between Nancy and Hamish (James Musgrave), a slightly effete soldier whose lack of commitment, and indeed libido, suggests her taste in men might not be as sharp as her wit. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 17 June 2025 In this view, other European immigrants were unsuitable for civilizing the frontier—Southern Europeans were effete and decadent while Eastern European Jews were hapless in the woods and better-suited to urban, commercial spaces. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2025 Jesus Christ’s preaching of love and kindness and forgiveness is seen as weak and effete. — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025 This is bad enough, but then there’s the wide gulf of sensibility that separates Rock and Martin; the latter’s effete irony just doesn’t gel with Rock’s political trenchancy. — Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effete
  1. degenerate
  2. weak
  3. weakened
  4. feminine
  5. decadent
  6. feeble
  7. soft
  8. effeminate
Adjective
  • When the discs degenerate, vertebrae lose the spongy buffer between bones, resulting in pain.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Or when some man behaving like a degenerate gambler plods into Chelsea Gray’s DMs with a disgusting slur.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • Most franchise advertising does not fail because the brand is weak or the market is dry.
    — Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Historically, midterm years see weaker returns, but better times await the following year , especially if there is gridlock from a divided Congress.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Aid groups warn more than three-quarters of Gaza’s housing stock is damaged, thousands of buildings are at risk of collapse, and residents grow especially vulnerable when winter rains seep into weakened structures.
    — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • When people use contaminated soap, bacteria can enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin and lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
    — Jenna Anderson, HEALTH, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • Whimsical, feminine interiors wrapped in custom murals by English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall heighten the sense of theatricality, as does the build-your-own sundae trolley.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Cutouts and pink floral appliques added a feminine look to Blumarine’s baggy jeans.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of feminine
Adjective
  • The formula feels impressively plush and decadent, combining hyaluronic acid to boost deep hydration, retinol to smooth skin and target signs of aging, and vitamin C to brighten your complexion.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Limitless breakfasts are a revelation of truly perfect pastries alongside bowls of heritage Indonesian recipes, decadent sweets, and equally decadent Western-style dishes including a Jimbaran Bay rock lobster omelette served with bisque.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of decadent
Adjective
  • Then, Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf caught a pass and took off down the sideline, the former Glendora High standout running through two feeble-arm tackles on the way to an inexplicable 42-yard touchdown.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of feeble
Adjective
  • However, the company said beer depletions, a measure of sales from distributors to retailers and other customers, declined slightly during the quarter, indicating consumer demand was softer than shipment growth suggests.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Passion fruit seeds are soft and edible, but there are just too many to be enjoyable.
    — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • The next big issue for me was that Axl shimmied from side to side with an unusual snakelike move that struck me as effeminate and lame.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The term kothi applies to a broad category of people assigned male at birth who are effeminate to varying degrees and might engage in same-sex relationships, but do not live in separate communities.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
Definition of effeminate

Browse Nearby Words

effervescing
effete
effeteness
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Cite this Entry

“Effete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effete. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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