symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-bē-ˈä-tik 
: relating to or marked by symbiosis:
a
: characterized by, living in, or being a close physical association (as in mutualism or commensalism) between two or more dissimilar organisms
The truffle is a … fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with its host tree.—
Robb Walsh
Robb WalshTermites harbor diverse symbiotic gut microorganisms, the majority of which are as yet uncultivable and their interrelationships unclear.—Yuichi Hongoh et al.
Yuichi Hongoh et al.
b
: characterized by or being a close, cooperative, or interdependent relationship
Today, art advisers are as diverse as the clients they help. They often work alone and form intimate, symbiotic relationships with the people they serve.—Deborah Gimelson
Deborah GimelsonSigal's study … illustrates how reporters' constant need for news and how government officials' need for publicity and favorable coverage for their agencies combine into a symbiotic relationship between Washington reporters and officials.—Charles R. Wright
Charles R. Wright
symbiotically
adverb
Some species of clams … live symbiotically with sulfur-loving bacteria: the bacteria, which live on the clams' gills, get sulfide from the clams, and the clams, in turn, feed on the bacteria.
—Natural History
Natural History
The irony is that the Pentagon and the Soviet Defense Ministry prosper symbiotically.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Examples of symbiotic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When structured thoughtfully, internships—especially in creative fields—create symbiotic relationships, offering new graduates and current college students alike real-world exposure while providing employers with fresh perspectives and potential future hires.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
The nonprofit groups that manage these trails all depend, to varying degrees, on federal funds and symbiotic relationships with federal organizations such as the United States Forest Service and National Park Service.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 12 May 2025
Another example is the symbiotic relationship between Yiddish theaters on New York’s Lower East Side and Broadway productions in theaters further uptown.
—James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Sonically, The Scholars reminds me a bit of David Bowie’s Blackstar in that there’s such a symbiotic feeling to the music.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
The nonprofit groups that manage these trails all depend, to varying degrees, on federal funds and symbiotic relationships with federal organizations such as the United States Forest Service and National Park Service.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 12 May 2025
Another example is the symbiotic relationship between Yiddish theaters on New York’s Lower East Side and Broadway productions in theaters further uptown.
—James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Sonically, The Scholars reminds me a bit of David Bowie’s Blackstar in that there’s such a symbiotic feeling to the music.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
Cite this Entry
“Symbiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbiotic. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-ˌbī-ˈät-ik
-bē-
-bē-
variants
also symbiotical
: relating to, characterized by, living in, or resulting from a state of symbiosis
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