Synonyms

in effect

Idioms

For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement . [Late 1500s]
In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January . Related phrases include go into effect and take effect , which mean “become operative,” as in This law goes into effect January 1 , or It takes effect January 1 . Similarly, put into effect means “make operative,” as in When will the judge's ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see in force , def. 2.

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.

Netflix now has four business days to make a revised offer, and Warner says its board continues to recommend in favor of the Netflix deal, which remains in effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

Experts say the trend has been accelerated by the shift to remote work in recent years — in effect, why dress up if you’re not leaving the house?

From MarketWatch

Until then, the Netflix merger agreement remains in effect, and the Warner board continues to recommend in favor of the Netflix transaction, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Here, the artist says in effect, “This is me, but I really can’t be objectively seen.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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