systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsi-stə-ˈma-tik 

1

: relating to or consisting of a system

2

: presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles

systematic thought

3

a

: methodical in procedure or plan

a systematic approach

a systematic scholar

b

: marked by thoroughness and regularity

systematic efforts

4

: of, relating to, or concerned with classification

specifically : taxonomic

systematically

ˌsi-stə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

systematicness

ˌsi-stə-ˈma-tik-nəs 

noun

Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations.

Synonyms

• methodical
• methodic
• neat
• orderly
• organized
• regular
• systematized

Examples of systematic in a Sentence

We used a systematic approach to solve the problem.

She made a systematic study of the evidence.

the systematic production of cars

Recent Examples on the Web

In Gaza, beatings and arrests of human rights defenders, journalists and demonstrators by Hamas in recent years, reflect a systematic practice, a report by the watchdog organization found. —USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

For example: The polling firm responsible for the poll: The specific ways in which a pollster collects and analyzes its data can lead to systematic differences between its polls and other pollsters' polls. —G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024

Edwards delivered zero conference championships and no division titles during his five years on the job but managed to actively participate in a systematic eviscerating of NCAA recruiting rules during the COVID-era recruiting dead period. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

Outside powers, including the United States, have never acted forcefully enough to stop the systematic violation of human rights in the Palestinian territories. —Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

But the main issue is to demonstrate that on the high political level, there is no corruption, that there is no systematic corruption. —Michael Levitt, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024

Out of any ethnicity in the state, Native people experience the lowest health system performance and stand at systematic disadvantage, Radley said. —Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024

The Russian investments were followed by a systematic effort to denigrate Patriarch Bartholomew on hundreds of new Greek-language websites, blogs, and Facebook groups, an online offensive documented by Alexandros Massavetas, a Greek journalist, in his 2019 book, The Third Rome. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024

Public services have been limited, including trash collection, and cholera has resurfaced, while gangs have terrorized the population with systematic rape, indiscriminate kidnapping and mass killing. —Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin systematicus, from Greek systēmatikos, from systēmat-, systēma

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing systematic

• non-systematic
• systematic error
• systematic theology

Kids Definition

systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsis-tə-ˈmat-ik 

1

: relating to or forming a system

systematic thought

2

: presented or worked out as a system

3

: carried out or acting with thoroughness or regularity

systematic efforts

systematically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsis-tə-ˈmat-ik 

: of, relating to, or concerned with classification

specifically : taxonomic

systematically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb