symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-bē-ˈä-tik 
: relating to or marked by symbiosis:
a
: characterized by, living in, or being a close physical association (as in mutualism or commensalism) between two or more dissimilar organisms
The truffle is a … fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with its host tree.—
Robb Walsh
Robb WalshTermites harbor diverse symbiotic gut microorganisms, the majority of which are as yet uncultivable and their interrelationships unclear.—Yuichi Hongoh et al.
Yuichi Hongoh et al.
b
: characterized by or being a close, cooperative, or interdependent relationship
Today, art advisers are as diverse as the clients they help. They often work alone and form intimate, symbiotic relationships with the people they serve.—Deborah Gimelson
Deborah GimelsonSigal's study … illustrates how reporters' constant need for news and how government officials' need for publicity and favorable coverage for their agencies combine into a symbiotic relationship between Washington reporters and officials.—Charles R. Wright
Charles R. Wright
symbiotically
adverb
Some species of clams … live symbiotically with sulfur-loving bacteria: the bacteria, which live on the clams' gills, get sulfide from the clams, and the clams, in turn, feed on the bacteria.
—Natural History
Natural History
The irony is that the Pentagon and the Soviet Defense Ministry prosper symbiotically.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Examples of symbiotic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Collins and Cohen had a symbiotic artistic friendship.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
In the ensuing years, his companies have developed a symbiotic relationship with federal programs, turning him into more of a vampire.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Most orchid species have a symbiotic relationship with the natural fungi found in their roots.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
At its best, their devotion creates something symbiotic — a real-life sounding board for his ideas.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
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Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
In the ensuing years, his companies have developed a symbiotic relationship with federal programs, turning him into more of a vampire.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Most orchid species have a symbiotic relationship with the natural fungi found in their roots.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
At its best, their devotion creates something symbiotic — a real-life sounding board for his ideas.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
Cite this Entry
“Symbiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbiotic. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-ˌbī-ˈät-ik
-bē-
-bē-
variants
also symbiotical
: relating to, characterized by, living in, or resulting from a state of symbiosis
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