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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Recent Examples of complementary
To bring some order to these efforts, organizers can imagine a triangle representing complementary goals.
—
Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Yes, the Heat are developing a nice element of complementary talent.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Colorado has three first-line centers in MacKinnon, Kadri, and Nelson, the best defenseman in the world, and a supporting cast that is so deep in star power that Necas, Gabe Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen get discussed as complementary players.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The shade plays particularly well with a bright white like Behr’s French Chateau White to create clean, complementary contrast.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complementary
Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Yes, the Heat are developing a nice element of complementary talent.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Colorado has three first-line centers in MacKinnon, Kadri, and Nelson, the best defenseman in the world, and a supporting cast that is so deep in star power that Necas, Gabe Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen get discussed as complementary players.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The shade plays particularly well with a bright white like Behr’s French Chateau White to create clean, complementary contrast.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complementary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complementary
Adjective
-
Thissen, an associate justice, wrote a supplementary but concurring opinion objecting to certain findings in the disbarment decision, noting the court had failed to differentiate between negligent and intentional misappropriation of funds.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the countertop surrounding the rectangular sink complete with flip-up extension on the main block, a supplementary counter block tops the refrigerator behind the wet bath on the driver's side.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Zelenskyy noted in a post on X that Ukraine would observe a reciprocal ceasefire starting at midnight on Tuesday.—
F. Brinley Bruton,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
-
For decades, Washington projected its sanctions architecture on the assumption that no major counterparty would counterattack with a reciprocal one.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a lot of mutual mistrust.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
During their lifetimes, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri were reportedly regular collaborators with a healthy mutual respect for each other’s immeasurable musical talents.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complementary. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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