greater/better/more than the sum of its parts

idiom

used to say that something is better or more effective as a team, combination, etc., than would be expected when looking at the different parts that form it
The team lacks standout players, but it has proved to be greater than the sum of its parts.

Examples of greater/better/more than the sum of its parts in a Sentence

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He’s always punched above his weight and made a team more than the sum of its parts. Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 True partner marketing requires unique positioning that elevates the partnership to more than the sum of its parts. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Topped with a layer of chocolate ganache, this crust is much more than the sum of its parts. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024 Yet Danielson’s message of sacrifice and accountability has resonated for this group, providing that extra variable needed to elevate a good team, at a school that has always had to do a little more with a little less and be greater than the sum of its parts. Justin Williams, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for greater/better/more than the sum of its parts 

Dictionary Entries Near greater/better/more than the sum of its parts

Greater Antilles

greater/better/more than the sum of its parts

greater celandine

Cite this Entry

“Greater/better/more than the sum of its parts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greater%2Fbetter%2Fmore%20than%20the%20sum%20of%20its%20parts. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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