complementary

adjective

ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce complementary (audio)
Definition of complementarynext
as in supplementary
related to each other in such a way that one completes the other the complementary contributions of the cooking and cleanup committees were essential to the success of the church barbecue

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of complementary For Cruz, the best case is that the films read as complementary rather than rivalry. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The partnership will bring their complementary strengths together to develop, package and support film, TV drama and other entertainment projects from across the Arab world for regional and international markets. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 That’s what led Michael and his team, alongside Justin Barth, to launch Fame To Fortune as a complementary event to the Uncharted series. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2026 BepiColombo is scheduled to begin science operations on April 6, 2027, with MPO and Mio studying Mercury simultaneously from complementary orbits. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complementary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complementary
  1. supplementary
  2. reciprocal
  3. mutual
Adjective
  • The sleeping surface measures 82 inches (208 cm) long and is widened via slim supplementary cushions to 57 inches (145 cm) at the head by the doors, tapering to 50 inches (127 cm) at the foot between the wheel wells.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Purja became the fastest person to summit all 14 of the peaks without supplementary oxygen.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of supplementary
Adjective
  • The best professional relationships are reciprocal, not transactional.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That reciprocal impact, according to Canadian officials, will purposefully target key sectors and states — like Michigan — with particular economic and political importance in the United States.
    — Grant Schwab, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • That convenience is only possible thanks to decades of free trade, friendship and mutual trust.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Trump also has been highly critical of NATO, arguing that European countries aren’t spending enough money on the military and thus aren’t paying their fair share of the alliance’s mutual defense.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of mutual

Browse Nearby Words

complement
complementary
complemented
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Cite this Entry

“Complementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complementary. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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