in effect

phrase

: in substance : virtually
… the … committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage.—Current Biography

Examples of in effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The warning will be in effect until late Friday, although substantial relief might not arrive until late Saturday or early Sunday. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 The judge did not rule on final custody or conservatorship Tuesday, and the restraining order was left in effect. — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Their suspensions can remain in effect for one year unless TDLR or a court orders otherwise. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Although the nationwide injunction is no longer in effect, players can seek injunctions in state courts, and some will likely obtain them. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in effect

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in effect was in the 15th century

Rhymes for in effect

See All Rhymes for in effect

Browse Nearby Words

ineffaceable
in effect
ineffective
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20effect. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All