synergy

noun

syn·​er·​gy ˈsi-nər-jē 

plural synergies

1

: synergism

broadly : combined action or operation

2

: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (such as resources or efforts)

Did you know?

An old saying, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts", expresses the basic meaning of synergy. The word is sometimes used in a purely physical sense, especially when talking about drugs; sometimes a "cocktail" of drugs may be more effective than the sum of the effectiveness of each of the separate drugs. But the word is best known in the world of business. The notion that, when the right two companies merge, they'll produce a profitable synergy seemed exciting in the 1990s, when synergy became a trendy buzzword (even though it's actually been around since the 17th century). The idea of synergy was one factor in what became a "merger mania;" unfortunately, business synergy often turned out to be harder to achieve than to imagine.

Examples of synergy in a Sentence

A synergy has developed among the different groups working on this project.

two companies that have found synergy

Recent Examples on the Web

Individually, the most prestigious concours d'elegance have emerged as stand-alone events in their own right, but grouping them together unleashed a powerful synergy. —New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2025

Trung Trac: Best Commanders in the game, strong Science synergy. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

The acquisition is expected to bring annual synergies of $55 million. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2025

Unleashing the synergy of public and private American space power can achieve extraordinary world-leading results in record time. —John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

synergy

noun

syn·​er·​gy ˈsin-ər-jē 

plural synergies

: synergism