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

Foremost among them was Roosevelt, who maintained that democracy and Fascism could not coexist. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Now, Bath & Body Works’ Essentials collection is here to prove that sensitive skin and fragrance can coexist through brand-new body washes, body lotions, and eau de parfums. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2026

Rather than coexisting, the electrical and magnetic states actively push against each other. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Many flavors of rock, pop, R&B, metal, hardcore, jam-band, country, funk, reggae, electronica, rap, jazz, big-band, theatrical, Brazilian, and Latin music happily coexist and cross-pollinate here. — Gabe Kirchheimer, Rolling Stone, 24 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