congener
noun
con·ge·ner
ˈkän-jə-nər 
kən-ˈjē-
kən-ˈjē-
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a person, organism, or thing resembling another in nature or action
the New England private schools and their congeners west of the Alleghenies—
Oliver La Farge
Oliver La Farge3
: a chemical substance related to another
Examples of congener in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The final result was a full-bodied bourbon that retained many congeners from its low proof, both off the still and into the barrel.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
More congeners typically translates to worse hangovers, Dr. Rohsenow said.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 20 May 2025
To reduce a next-day hangover, opt for spirits low in congeners like vodka, rum, or gin, and avoid those with high levels, such as tequila, whiskey, or cognac.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025
Pot stills retain more congeners—the compounds that give spirits their character.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Generally speaking, the more congeners an alcohol has, the worse the hangover is likely to be.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024
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Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
More congeners typically translates to worse hangovers, Dr. Rohsenow said.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 20 May 2025
To reduce a next-day hangover, opt for spirits low in congeners like vodka, rum, or gin, and avoid those with high levels, such as tequila, whiskey, or cognac.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025
Pot stills retain more congeners—the compounds that give spirits their character.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Generally speaking, the more congeners an alcohol has, the worse the hangover is likely to be.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Congener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congener. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
congener
noun
con·ge·ner
ˈkän-jə-nər
kən-ˈjē-
kən-ˈjē-
variants
also cogener
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a chemical substance related to another
tetracycline and its congeners
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