efficacious
adjective
Did you know?
Effective, effectual, and efficient are synonyms of efficacious, but each of these words has a slightly different connotation. Efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that makes it possible to achieve a result ("a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease"). Effective stresses the power to produce or the actual production of a particular effect ("an effective rebuttal"), while effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result, especially as viewed after the fact ("measures taken to reduce underage drinking have proved effectual"). The last synonym, efficient, implies an acting or potential for acting that avoids loss or waste of energy ("an efficient small car").
Synonyms
- effective
- effectual
- efficient
- fruitful
- operative
- potent
- productive
Example Sentences
Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Seriously, who can say no to efficacious clean concealers and foundations? Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 June 2022 Conversations on access and successfully treating psychiatric diagnoses often return to the question of efficacious medicines. Kathleen Frazier, Variety, 20 May 2022 Though the idea of the best clean concealers might conjure up depictions of serum-like dewy makeup formulas, Lawless’s concealer proves that even skin-friendly offerings can deliver an efficacious matte finish. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 May 2022 L'Occitane Known for botanical scents and pampering textures, L'Occitane's skincare and haircare products have also been multiple time GH Sustainability Award winners for their efficacious formulations and thoughtful, minimal waste packaging. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2022 The two-dose regimen didn’t prove as efficacious in protecting the youngest children from infection and disease, especially against the Omicron variant, as health officials had hoped. Alice Park, Time, 23 Mar. 2022 The cutting-edge Swiss skincare brand is famous for their impressively efficacious formulas and this assortment turns back the clock in style. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021 Because mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna need to be kept cold and their global supply is sparse, medical authorities instead used less efficacious but easier to transport vaccines like Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. USA Today, 20 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
borrowed from Middle French efficace "effective" or its source Latin efficāc-, efficāx "capable of fulfilling a function, effective" (from efficere "to make, bring about, produce, carry out" + -āc-, -āx, deverbal suffix denoting habitual or successful performance) + -ious — more at effect entry 1, audacious
1528, in the meaning defined above
efficacious
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- efficient
- effective
- potent
- productive
- effectual
- adequate
- fruitful
- operative
- useful
- capable
- practical
- practiced
- convincing
- adept
- proficient
- skilled
- competent
- feasible
- expert
- experienced
- practicable
- skillful
- cogent
- accomplished
- valid
- practised
- realizable
- active
- masterly
- dynamic
- hyperefficient
- striking
- workable
- telling
- veteran
- useable
- versed
- ultraefficient
- functional
- usable
- virtuoso
- killer
- applicable
- sound
- consummate
- working
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ineffective
- useless
- inefficient
- ineffectual
- incapable
- fruitless
- inoperative
- unproductive
- counterproductive
- incompetent
- futile
- inexperienced
- unskilled
- vain
- unsuccessful
- unqualified
- unfruitful
- abortive
- unprofitable
- hollow
- worthless
- empty
- pointless
- idle
- inexpert
- unskillful
- inoperative
- unavailing
- unseasoned
- bootless
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of efficacious are effective, effectual, and efficient. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.
In some situations, the words effective and efficacious are roughly equivalent. However, effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.
Although the words effectual and efficacious have much in common, effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.
While the synonyms efficient and efficacious are close in meaning, efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.