: the quality, state, or degree of being electronegative
specifically
: the power of an atom or radical in a compound to attract electrons especially in the formation of an electrovalent bond
Examples of electronegative in a Sentence
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Fluoride—an aggressively electronegative atom with an extra electron—has been singled out for scrutiny with a smear campaign.
—
Kyle Hill,
Discover Magazine,
22 May 2013
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Adjective
Introducing strong electronegative heteroatoms (S and Cl) through axial coordination can significantly alter the symmetry and modulate the electronic structure of the conventional Fe–N4 configuration.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Fluoride—an aggressively electronegative atom with an extra electron—has been singled out for scrutiny with a smear campaign.
—
Kyle Hill,
Discover Magazine,
22 May 2013
Cite this Entry
“Electronegative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electronegative. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
electronegative
adjective
elec·tro·neg·a·tive
i-ˌlek-trō-ˈneg-ət-iv 
1
: charged with negative electricity
2
: having a tendency to attract electrons
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