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
The species feeds by relying on symbiotic bacteria to break down fats inside the bones of large vertebrates, like whales.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The symbiotic bacteria living on the worms’ bodies then digest the fat and protein.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Gummy candy and rising cocoa prices enjoy a sort of symbiotic relationship.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The animals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae that lives within the corals’ cells, providing food and giving them color.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The symbiotic bacteria living on the worms’ bodies then digest the fat and protein.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Gummy candy and rising cocoa prices enjoy a sort of symbiotic relationship.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The animals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae that lives within the corals’ cells, providing food and giving them color.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 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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