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 Their complementary styles also produced some of Team USA’s most electric stretches. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 While other Sphere productions have focused on theatrical reinterpretations of artists’ tracks, Metallica’s story remains firmly rooted in the narrative of noise, with the Sphere’s complementary visual fantasy as the icing on the cake. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 The key here is to just go for it—choose two bold (but complementary) colors and mix and match from your shirt to your shoes. — Fiona Ward, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2026 But Muse brings something completely different and complementary. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complementary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complementary
  1. supplementary
  2. reciprocal
  3. mutual
Adjective
  • Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • If this still feels confusing, consider watching my supplementary video.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of supplementary
Adjective
  • The United States and China released Monday reciprocal lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts, in a deal expected to boost bilateral trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In another list were Washington’s reciprocal tariff cuts for Chinese small appliances such as coffee makers and toasters, tableware, blankets and bed linens.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • During that time the female lead Rosa Salazar exited, by all accounts a mutual decision, and Fumero came on board.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Country Music Hall of Famer and Kansas City have enjoyed a relationship of mutual admiration for decades.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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