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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 That shift is where IoT, and particularly LPWAN, becomes foundational rather than complementary. — Alper Yegin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The flow of the plasma can also serve as a complementary test. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 What the Heat need from Bam is highest-level rebounding and defense and complementary scoring. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 An increasing number of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicines. — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complementary. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of loath

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All