interdependent
adjective
in·ter·de·pen·dent
ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dənt 
: dependent upon one another : mutually dependent
interdependent statistical variables
… the interdependent gyrations of double suns …—
James Joyce
James Joyce… the interrelationships between social groupings were reciprocal and interdependent.—Howard P. Chudacoff
Howard P. ChudacoffIn an interdependent world, every nation is dependent upon every other.—Michael Novak
Michael Novak
interdependently
adverb
Atlantis is to have its own economic activities, but the city is to function interdependently with other centers in the greater Cape Town region.
—John Western
John Western
Examples of interdependent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The United States and China are economically interdependent.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
Behind nearly every dilemma there’s a set of paradoxical or interdependent paths that can’t be addressed with a single solution.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
To survive in an interdependent world, any wealthy polity, especially a democratic welfare state, must necessarily regulate flows of goods, finance, and people in its own interest—even if its inhabitants are sincere cosmopolitans.
—Hans Kundnani, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The United States now has to manage its economic security in a highly interdependent and highly competitive world, where countries are inevitably tempted to exploit the weaknesses of others.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2023
There are many plants and insects that are interdependent upon one another.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 22 July 2023
In his quest to alleviate suffering and heal the world, Simonetta has discovered that all life is an interdependent phenomenon.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023
Digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems, cloud computing, semiconductors, and quantum technologies, have both civilian and military applications in a geopolitical context of interdependent economies.
—Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023
Driven by emerging technologies and ever more complex and interdependent systems, dramatic shifts in the coming decade will unlock new possibilities for human flourishing and prosperity while also multiplying the systemic risks posed by insecure systems (p. 2).
—Bob Zukis, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
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Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
Behind nearly every dilemma there’s a set of paradoxical or interdependent paths that can’t be addressed with a single solution.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
To survive in an interdependent world, any wealthy polity, especially a democratic welfare state, must necessarily regulate flows of goods, finance, and people in its own interest—even if its inhabitants are sincere cosmopolitans.
—Hans Kundnani, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The United States now has to manage its economic security in a highly interdependent and highly competitive world, where countries are inevitably tempted to exploit the weaknesses of others.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2023
There are many plants and insects that are interdependent upon one another.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 22 July 2023
In his quest to alleviate suffering and heal the world, Simonetta has discovered that all life is an interdependent phenomenon.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023
Digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems, cloud computing, semiconductors, and quantum technologies, have both civilian and military applications in a geopolitical context of interdependent economies.
—Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023
Driven by emerging technologies and ever more complex and interdependent systems, dramatic shifts in the coming decade will unlock new possibilities for human flourishing and prosperity while also multiplying the systemic risks posed by insecure systems (p. 2).
—Bob Zukis, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interdependent.' 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
1838, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near interdependent
Cite this Entry
“Interdependent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdependent. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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