synergy

noun

syn·​er·​gy ˈsi-nər-jē 

plural synergies

1

: synergism

broadly : combined action or operation

2

: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (such as resources or efforts)

Did you know?

An old saying, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts", expresses the basic meaning of synergy. The word is sometimes used in a purely physical sense, especially when talking about drugs; sometimes a "cocktail" of drugs may be more effective than the sum of the effectiveness of each of the separate drugs. But the word is best known in the world of business. The notion that, when the right two companies merge, they'll produce a profitable synergy seemed exciting in the 1990s, when synergy became a trendy buzzword (even though it's actually been around since the 17th century). The idea of synergy was one factor in what became a "merger mania;" unfortunately, business synergy often turned out to be harder to achieve than to imagine.

Examples of synergy in a Sentence

A synergy has developed among the different groups working on this project.

two companies that have found synergy

Recent Examples on the Web

While fiction filmmaking has often tried to predict upcoming trends by looking at television and online content, documentary can find much more significant synergy with its cousin in reportage. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

But after successfully recruiting other Mormon Wives stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck for the 34th season of Dancing With the Stars, ABC decided to keep the synergy going for its other big reality show. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026

When Bob Iger stepped down as Disney CEO in February 2020, the vision of installing Bob Chapek as his successor was about company synergy. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026

There was quite a lot of Disney synergy going on during the show with the Avengers bit, The Devil Wears Prada moment and that Mandalorian and Grogu skit. —Peter White, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

synergy

noun

syn·​er·​gy ˈsin-ər-jē 

plural synergies

: synergism