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

symptomatically

ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of symptomatic

• characteristic
• distinct
• typical
• distinctive
• distinguishing

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

Important uncertainties remain, as much of the evidence is preliminary and Ervebo may offer greater protection against death than against symptomatic disease or transmission. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026

Kisunla is designed to help slow the progression of early symptomatic Alzheimer's by targeting the brain to break up and remove amyloid plaques, which are a hallmark of the disease. — Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

The situation is also symptomatic of broader strains on the country's higher education system, where grossly limited spots leave millions cramming for months, or even years, and high-stakes entrance exams leave many of them burnt out and in debt. — Sakshi Dayal, USA Today, 22 July 2026

The controversy the ad stirred up is symptomatic of a deeper rupture. — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing symptomatic

• pre-symptomatic

Rhymes for symptomatic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• autocratic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic

Kids 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

symptomatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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

symptomatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb