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
However, the Andes virus type aboard the Hondius is known to spread between people, albeit rarely, and most often from prolonged, close contact with a symptomatic person who has the respiratory disease, according to the CDC.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 9 May 2026
None of the 147 people currently on board, including 60 crew members, are symptomatic, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, which owns the vessel.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 9 May 2026
The spread in Argentina at the time was mostly driven by three sick individuals that attended crowded social events while symptomatic, according to a 2020 study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 8 May 2026
The ship arrived in Cape Verde around May 4, where doctors boarded and provided care for three more symptomatic people, bringing the total number of cases from the ship to seven.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for symptomatic
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Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 9 May 2026
None of the 147 people currently on board, including 60 crew members, are symptomatic, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, which owns the vessel.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 9 May 2026
The spread in Argentina at the time was mostly driven by three sick individuals that attended crowded social events while symptomatic, according to a 2020 study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 8 May 2026
The ship arrived in Cape Verde around May 4, where doctors boarded and provided care for three more symptomatic people, bringing the total number of cases from the ship to seven.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 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 11 May. 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
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