dynamic

adjective dy·nam·ic \ dī-ˈna-mik \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Examples: dynamic in a Sentence

Definition of dynamic

1 a : marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change

a dynamic city

b : energetic, forceful

a dynamic personality

2 or less commonly dynamical play \-mi-kəl\

a : of or relating to physical force or energy

b : of or relating to dynamics (see dynamics)

3 of random-access memory : requiring periodic refreshment of charge in order to retain data

—

dynamically

play \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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See dynamic defined for kids

Examples of dynamic in a Sentence

… tournament blackjack is more dynamic, and more complex, than simply playing against the house. —Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights. —Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball. —Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat

Recent Examples of dynamic from the Web

Yet the spark that made Arcade Fire one of the most dynamic bands of its time still burned bright enough to even swallow up some of its flaws.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Review: Arcade Fire burns hot enough to consume a few flaws at Summerfest," 9 July 2018
But there is something else: the star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, the team’s most dynamic hitter.

— james wagner, New York Times, "The Mets Are Missing Two Big Things: Wins and Yoenis Cespedes," 7 July 2018
Baltz’s transition will be eased by the return of junior A.J. Henning, who is one of the state’s most dynamic and — with 25 scholarship offers — highly recruited players.

— mike clark, Daily Southtown, "Football notes: For starters, Richards has two veteran quarterbacks in Marquel Porter and Sebastian Castro," 6 July 2018
Who's Next honors some of Arizona's most dynamic young leaders under the age of 40.

— grace palmieri, azcentral, "16 Arizona distillers, brewers, bartenders and others helping us drink smarter," 3 July 2018
Matt Harvey, who three years ago was one of the most dynamic pitchers in the game, is just a shell of himself these days, exiled to Cincinnati, trying to resurrect his career and land any contract next winter, let alone a generational one.

— bob nightengale, USA TODAY, "MLB's great free agent class of 2018 limping toward finish line," 11 June 2018
Whereas Trump used to leave meetings with his previous legal team red-faced and riled up, said someone familiar with the dynamic, the president these days appears more sanguine after briefings from his lawyers.

— author: ashley parker, josh dawsey, philip rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "With new West Wing cast, Trump calls shots, aides follow," 29 May 2018
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is easily the LA Galaxy’s most dynamic talent.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets red card after slapping player and then faking an injury," 21 May 2018
Hermansson is longer, faster and more dynamic on the feet than Leites.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Thales Leites vs. Jack Hermansson live round-by-round coverage," 12 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dynamic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dynamic

French dynamique, from Greek dynamikos powerful, from dynamis power, from dynasthai to be able

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1744

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

dynamic Synonyms

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

dynamic

noun

Definition of dynamic

1 : a dynamic force (see ¹dynamic)

2 : dynamics 2; also : an underlying cause of change or growth

See dynamic defined for English-language learners

Examples of dynamic in a Sentence

… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace. —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic. —Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans. —J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence. —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics

Recent Examples of dynamic from the Web

So go the dynamics of a relationship with a financial adviser.

— peter dunn, USA TODAY, "Pete the Planner: Has your financial adviser failed you? 3 ways to let them know it," 13 July 2018
So go the dynamics of a relationship with a financial adviser.

— peter dunn, Indianapolis Star, "Pete the Planner: Breaking up with a financial adviser doesn't need to be painful," 11 July 2018
Lighting It Up with Short Stages: The sport of cycling is trying to change the dynamic and the viewing experience by shortening stages.

— marc peruzzi, Outside Online, "Lance Armstrong Takes on the Tour de France," 6 July 2018
This just changes the entire fundamental dynamic of the United States Supreme Court, potentially for a generation.

— Fox News, "Sen. Rand Paul: Supreme Court vote will be divided along party lines," 28 June 2018
Nevertheless, progressive candidates ready to make change are winning elections and changing the dynamic of electoral politics.

— josh hoxie, Fortune, "What Ocasio-Cortez’s Win Says About the Rise of the Left," 27 June 2018
But cities could also begin to use streets and sidewalks in a more flexible way, changing the dynamic of communities, Mr. Snyder says.

— tim higgins, WSJ, "How Driverless Cars Are Going to Change Cities," 26 June 2018
Yet some judges and attorneys still don’t understand the dynamics of domestic violence and may blame both parties for not getting along — the equivalent of calling a mugging a dispute over a wallet, advocates say.

— sheila burke, The Seattle Times, "New state law seeks to stop ‘stalking by way of the courts’," 25 June 2018
Over the last century, scientists have continued to analyze the physics behind fluid droplets, since understanding the fluid dynamics of droplets has uses in things like printing and in improving combustion engines.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "The Physics Behind a Leaky Faucet’s Maddening ‘Plink’," 25 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of dynamic

see ¹dynamic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1868

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

DYNAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

dynamic

adjective

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

: always active or changing
: having or showing a lot of energy
: of or relating to energy, motion, or physical force

dynamic

noun

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

: the way that two or more people behave with each other because of a particular situation
: something that causes change or growth in something else
dynamics : the science that studies motion and the forces that cause or stop motion