symptomatic
adjective
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik 
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
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
Patrick Robinson, the Año Nuevo reserve director, and a marine biologist at UC Santa Cruz, said 47 elephant seals on the mainland have died since the outbreak began, and the wildlife team is finding two new symptomatic and two dead animals every day.
—
Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The child linked to South Carolina is no longer symptomatic, officials say, while the other child is being treated and is now recovering at home.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
This child was no longer symptomatic or contagious as of Wednesday.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Eventually, this damage can become symptomatic and dangerous.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symptomatic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The child linked to South Carolina is no longer symptomatic, officials say, while the other child is being treated and is now recovering at home.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
This child was no longer symptomatic or contagious as of Wednesday.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Eventually, this damage can become symptomatic and dangerous.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symptomatic
Cite this Entry
“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symptomatic
adjective
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik
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
Medical Definition
symptomatic
adjective
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
