greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
idiom
—used to say that something is better or more effective as a team, combination, etc., than would be expected when looking at the different parts that form it
The team lacks standout players, but it has proved to be greater than the sum of its parts.
Examples of greater/better/more than the sum of its parts in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the magic of Calabash is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
—
Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Every aspect of the sandwich is perfection, adding up to something that's even greater than the sum of its parts.
—Arika Herron, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Sometimes the presence of other humans can turn a work into something greater than the sum of its parts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025
And though both prestigious businesses produce coveted vintages, the resulting bottling is somehow far greater than the sum of its parts.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
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Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Every aspect of the sandwich is perfection, adding up to something that's even greater than the sum of its parts.
—Arika Herron, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Sometimes the presence of other humans can turn a work into something greater than the sum of its parts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025
And though both prestigious businesses produce coveted vintages, the resulting bottling is somehow far greater than the sum of its parts.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
Cite this Entry
“Greater/better/more than the sum of its parts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greater%2Fbetter%2Fmore%20than%20the%20sum%20of%20its%20parts. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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