coexist

verb

co·​ex·​ist ˌkō-ig-ˈzist 

coexisted; coexisting; coexists

intransitive verb

1

: to exist together or at the same time

2

: to live in peace with each other especially as a matter of policy

coexistence

ˌkō-ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s 

noun

coexistent

ˌkō-ig-ˈzi-stənt 

adjective

Synonyms of coexist

• accompany
• coincide

Examples of coexist in a Sentence

The species coexist in the same environment.

Can the two countries peacefully coexist?

Recent Examples on the Web

This balance ensures that cutting-edge innovation carries an innate authenticity, where research and poetry coexist through the heritage of ‘il saper fare. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

The combination made a striking appearance on the Dries Van Noten runway, proving that two statement colors can, in fact, coexist. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

Our nation’s future requires a clear-eyed understanding of how its aspirations for freedom and democracy coexisted with an institution defined by violence and injustice. — Drew Gilpin Faust, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026

For most of the year, passengers in the other cars of the train are happy to coexist with (if not ignore) the religious activity in the caboose. — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coexist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist

Kids Definition

coexist

verb

co·​ex·​ist ˌkō-ig-ˈzist 

1

: to exist together or at the same time

2

: to live in peace with each other

coexistence

-ˈzis-tən(t)s 

noun

coexistent

-tənt 

adjective