Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective efficient contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of efficient are effective, effectual, and efficacious. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," 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.

an efficient small car

In what contexts can effective take the place of efficient?

While in some cases nearly identical to efficient, effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.

an effective rebuttal

When would effectual be a good substitute for efficient?

The words effectual and efficient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.

the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual

Where would efficacious be a reasonable alternative to efficient?

The synonyms efficacious and efficient are sometimes interchangeable, but efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.

a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease

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 efficient Most of the premium thin-and-light laptops this year come with the V-series chip, which is Intel's answer to the highly efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips, and are actually fabricated by TSMC instead of Intel. Luke Larsen, Wired News, 15 June 2025 Utilities like Baltimore Gas & Electric are already beginning to roll out stronger incentives for electric equipment such as heat pumps, which provide highly efficient heating and cooling all in one system as well as increased rebates for home energy audits and weatherization. Josh Tulkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2025 The best state economies also encourage growth by being friendly to new businesses and investing in new technology that will help the state deal with future challenges and become more efficient. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025 These coverage losses were avoidable with better, more efficient communication. Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for efficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for efficient
Adjective
  • Podcasts are also an effective vehicle for incubating ideas that can be expanded in media such as TV, film and books, and for allowing promising talent to develop.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 June 2025
  • Second, sugarcane is more effective at sequestering carbon than corn.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Simply put, Queen has been wildly productive at every stage of his career.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • And the pace is intense— though not always productive or efficient.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • With collaborations like Pink Cookies with THC Design and Skywalker with Rove, plus a party-heavy marketing style, Presidential keeps its image loud, proud and potent. 6.
    Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The ending serves as a handy reminder that the zombie movie, more than perhaps any other strain of horror cinema, can be a potent conductor of allegory, metaphor, and polemic.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Efficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/efficient. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on efficient

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