Definition of EFFICACY

Examples of efficacy in a Sentence

In the planner's view, Rumsfeld had two goals: to demonstrate the efficacy of precision bombing and to "do the war on the cheap." — Seymour M. Hersh, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2003 Vaccines exist, but their efficacy against aerosolized plague is unknown. — Sharon Begley et al., Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2001 … efficacy does not have to be demonstrated before homeopathic products are marketed. — Alison Abbott et al., Nature, 26 Sept. 1996 questioned the efficacy of the alarms in actually preventing auto theft

Recent Examples on the Web

The efficacy of products like scalp exfoliators and ph-balancing shampoos? — Evelyn Crowley, Vogue, "The 6 Biggest Skincare Breakthroughs of 2018," 19 Dec. 2018 To maximize the efficacy of both of these active ingredients in your own skin-care routine, Zeichner recommends a salicylic acid cleanser, followed by an oil-free moisturizer, then topped off with a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. — Allure, "How to Treat Cystic Acne, According to Dermatologists," 14 Mar. 2019 This is because the efficacy of using your IUD past its deadline appears to depend largely on factors like your age and, relatedly, your fertility. — Korin Miller, SELF, "When Is It OK to Get Your IUD Removed?," 12 Mar. 2019 Smoke detectors lose their efficacy after 10 years and require replacing just like carbon monoxide alarms. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Why You Need to Check Your Smoke Detectors During Daylight Saving," 2 Nov. 2018 Another is that our wariness could limit their efficacy. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Glyphosate is safe, but some scientists still question how we regulate it," 5 June 2018 Gina Haspel’s confirmation as the new C.I.A. director has put the issue of physically abusive interrogation and its efficacy back into the news. — Nicole Sperling, HWD, "The Looming Tower: A Surprise Shout Was Key to Bill Camp’s Killer Interrogation Scene," 1 June 2018 The category of medication that has the most research evidence to support its efficacy in adult ADHD is called stimulants. — Andrea K. Mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Children aren't the only ones with ADHD; adults get it as well," 17 May 2018 And because many states have already legalized the drug for medical use, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to conduct costly clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy. — Graham Averill, Outside Online, "Why Athletes Are Ditching Ibuprofen for CBD," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'efficacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.