coexist

verb

co·​ex·​ist ˌkō-ig-ˈzist How to pronounce coexist (audio)
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 noun
coexistent adjective

Examples of coexist in a Sentence

The species coexist in the same environment. Can the two countries peacefully coexist?
Recent Examples on the Web My hope is that our state leaders and utility regulators will come to the realization that, despite what some corporate lobbyists might say, rooftop solar and large utility installations can and should coexist. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023 Recent fossil evidence proves that ancient humans and sloths coexisted in South America. Donna Sarkar, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023 The two sentiments coexist uneasily, leaving many Israelis with wild mood swings as the shock of vulnerability sinks in. Roger Cohen Avishag Shaar-Yashuv, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023 A certain edginess always coexisted with a live-and-let-live ethos in the artsy beach community, but the widening of the wealth gap has become increasingly apparent as tech firms moved in and sleek modern homes went up. Christopher Weber, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2023 One reason methane stays in the atmosphere is that Titan is the perfect distance from the sun to have a temperature and pressure where solid, liquid and vapor forms of methane can coexist. Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 El Conde is many things, some of which tend not to coexist in movies. Vulture, 21 Sep. 2023 To make that connection, the team demonstrated that two distinct symmetries coexist in epithelial tissue. Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023 Israel needs borders that are internationally recognized, and that means borders that recognize in turn the rights of the two peoples who now coexist in oppression and hatred. Jo-Ann Mort, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coexist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coexist was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near coexist

Cite this Entry

“Coexist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coexist. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

coexist

verb
co·​ex·​ist ˌkō-ig-ˈzist How to pronounce coexist (audio)
1
: to exist together or at the same time
2
: to live in peace with each other
coexistence noun
coexistent adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on coexist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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