symptomatic

adjective

symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom of a disease
b
: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause
symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage
2
: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms
symptomatic treatment
a symptomatic patient
3
: characteristic, indicative
his behavior was symptomatic of his character
symptomatically adverb

Examples of symptomatic in a Sentence

a fever's refusal to respond to antibiotics is symptomatic of a viral infection
Recent Examples on the Web Edd suggested that Hoover’s lofty career was symptomatic of a larger identity problem within the academy. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 The commission's work in bringing Desert X to AlUla is symptomatic of its broader goals – to revitalize the region economically, socially, and culturally, and to forge new paths for sustainable tourism. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Experts said the handling of the article was symptomatic of a tendency on the part of scientific publishers to obscure reports of lapses. Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 The resident was likely infected with plague by their symptomatic pet cat, Deschutes County Health Services said in a news release on Wednesday. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2024 Generally, the goal of the US Covid-19 vaccination program is to prevent severe disease, but measuring vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection offers an extra early look at how well the vaccines are working. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 By Deidre McPhillips | CNN A shot of the latest Covid-19 vaccine can help cut the chances of getting a symptomatic infection by half, early data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024 If cases of symptomatic disease began hitting the public health community’s proverbial radar, say, tomorrow, officials wouldn’t have any idea of the exact cause of such cases (deer meat? Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 26 Jan. 2024 Many people would also want the benefit of reducing symptomatic disease. Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symptomatic.' 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

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of symptomatic was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near symptomatic

Cite this Entry

“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

symptomatic

adjective
symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom (as of disease)
an itchy skin rash is symptomatic of poison ivy
b
: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms
a symptomatic patient
2
: showing a quality or identity : characteristic
symptomatically adverb

Medical Definition

symptomatic

adjective
symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom of a disease
gummas symptomatic of syphilis
b
: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause
symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage
2
: concerned with or affecting symptoms
symptomatic treatment
3
: having symptoms
a symptomatic patient
symptomatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on symptomatic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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