Word
synergistic
Phoneticssyn·er·gis·tic, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌsɪnɝˈdʒɪstɪk/
UK/sˌɪnədʒˈɪstɪk/
Definition
adj. working better together than alone. You use it when two people, ideas, or actions create a bigger or better result as a team.
adj. Producing a combined effect greater than the sum of separate effects. Typically describes interaction between people, teams, drugs, or business units where cooperation amplifies the outcome.
Examples
“The two teams have a synergistic way of working.”
“The marketing and design teams take a synergistic approach, sharing ideas early to launch the product faster.”
“The merger succeeded because the firms' research cultures proved synergistic, each compensating for gaps in the other's expertise while accelerating joint innovation.”
Examples
simple
“The two teams have a synergistic way of working.”
contextual
“The marketing and design teams take a synergistic approach, sharing ideas early to launch the product faster.”
complex
“The merger succeeded because the firms' research cultures proved synergistic, each compensating for gaps in the other's expertise while accelerating joint innovation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “synergistic” in context.
Verb
01. create synergistic
“The merger was designed to create synergistic effects across all departments.”
verb + adj
02. harness synergistic
“We need to harness synergistic energy to complete the project ahead of schedule.”
verb + adj
03. synergistic work
“When departments engage in synergistic work, productivity increases by forty percent.”
adj + verb
Adjective
04. highly synergistic
“The two companies discovered a highly synergistic relationship that boosted their market share.”
adv + adj
05. mutually synergistic
“The partnership proved mutually synergistic, benefiting both the tech firm and the creative agency.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. synergistic effect
“The synergistic effect of the two drugs provided better pain relief than either alone.”
adj + noun
07. synergistic interaction
“The study focuses on the synergistic interaction between different environmental factors.”
adj + noun
08. synergistic relationship
“Bees and flowers share a synergistic relationship that is vital for the ecosystem.”
adj + noun
09. achieve synergistic gains
“The board hopes to achieve synergistic gains through the integration of the two supply chains.”
10. in a synergistic way
“The software modules are designed to operate in a synergistic way to optimize performance.”
11. produce a synergistic result
“Combining their talents helped the team produce a synergistic result that exceeded expectations.”
Real-World Examples
“A frittata with eggs, spinach, mushrooms, and parmesan cheese, contains the synergistic combo of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K.” “Many multi-ingredient formulas make synergistic claims, if all the ingredients seem to be aimed in the same direction.” Etymology
From synergy + -istic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/synergistic