synergistic

Synergistic is used to describe things that produce, result from, or otherwise involve synergy. The word synergy refers to when an interaction of elements produces an effect that is greater than the effect that would have resulted from simply adding up the effects of each individual element.

In other words, synergy is what happens when a combination of things produces an effect or result that is said to be “greater than the sum of its parts.”

When you combine things—chemicals, ingredients, people—you often expect these things to interact in a certain way based on what has been included. But when something extra happens, something greater, this is synergy. Describing something as synergistic implies that the magic is in the combination, as opposed to in the individual elements themselves.

Synergistic can be used to describe a combination that produces such an effect or things that work together in this way. It’s often used generally to describe things that work well together. A food critic might say that a particular dish is delicious due to its synergistic mixture of ingredients. A synergistic approach is one that incorporates different elements or groups to work together.

Synergy is also used in a more specific way in the context of medicine to refer to the cooperation of multiple body parts, such as muscles or nerves. It can also refer to the interaction of drugs or other stimuli. The things that cooperate in this way can be called synergists and their actions or effects can be described as synergistic.

Less common synonyms for synergistic include synergic and synergetic.

Example: The synergistic cooperation between these departments has led to great success.

The first records of the word synergistic come from the early 1800s. It ultimately comes from the Greek synerg(ós), meaning “working together,” from syn-, “together,” and érg(on), “work.” The root érg(on) is also the basis of words like energy and ergonomics. The suffix -istic is used to form adjectives.

Synergistic is usually used in the context of things or people working together in a special, almost magical way. It can be used in all kinds of contexts. Describing something as synergistic often means that it has an intangible quality that’s produced by a combination that is said to be “greater than the sum of its parts.”

What are some other forms of synergistic?

• synergistically (adverb)
• synergy (noun)

What are some synonyms for synergistic?

• synergic
• synergetic

What are some words that share a root or word element with synergistic? 

• synergist
• synergism
• energy
• ergonomics

What are some words that often get used in discussing synergistic?

• approach
• combination
• element
• sum
• part
• harmony
• teamwork 
• cooperation
• effort
• cause
• goal
• together

Synergistic is typically used in a positive way in the discussion of things or people coming together to produce something great.

Don't miss out this synergistic approach by the 3 sister conventions @UNFCCC @UNBiodiversity https://t.co/RUdly2hqCv

— UN Convention to Combat Desertification (@UNCCD) November 13, 2018

''Health professionals and civil society should unite a broad coalition and call on governments to enact a more synergistic #STAX approach.''

Comment: Sugar, tobacco, and alcohol taxes to #achieve the #SDGs @lshtm @MartenRobert #LancetNCDs https://t.co/oHTZtBS4vl pic.twitter.com/6RIF5UK8v5

— The Lancet (@TheLancet) May 30, 2018

Resistance training is as effective as aerobic training in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with heart disease; combining the two types of training has a synergistic effect #liftforlife https://t.co/kUe99iItez

— Brad Schoenfeld, PhD (@BradSchoenfeld) December 15, 2020

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe an effect that is said to be synergistic?

A. unsuccessful

B. magical

C. productive

D. effective