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 If a disease, then no, cutting off symptomatic leaves is sufficient intervention to slow infection progression since a fungicide would not be able to cure existing infection. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2023 Treatment is important not only for symptomatic relief, but because blockages in blood vessels going to the legs are often accompanied by blockages in blood vessels to the heart and brain. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 July 2023 The advice to protect against Covid remains the same, including masking, staying home when sick, getting tested for Covid if exposed or symptomatic, and staying up to date on vaccines. Sara G. Miller, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023 In fact, sustained demand in the used car market is symptomatic of a broader trend. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023 The trend is symptomatic of an overall desire for experiences among diners, especially after a couple of years of cooking at home and eating takeout in your pandemic PJs. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2023 The calls for a Costa Coffee boycott are symptomatic of an era of open anti-LGBTQ backlash that has forced some companies to rethink their outward support of the LGBTQ community. Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2023 For symptomatic patients, a combination of anti-parasitic/antifungal drugs and antibiotics. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 12 July 2023 And Padma Lakshmi pointed to the popularity of the drug as symptomatic of a systemic problem in our society. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 11 July 2023 See More

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 26 Sep. 2023.

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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