symptomatic

adjective

symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom of a disease
b
: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause
symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage
2
: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms
symptomatic treatment
a symptomatic patient
3
: characteristic, indicative
his behavior was symptomatic of his character
symptomatically adverb

Examples of symptomatic in a Sentence

a fever's refusal to respond to antibiotics is symptomatic of a viral infection
Recent Examples on the Web The detention center’s medical director announced that staff on Monday began testing all residents who were symptomatic with gastrointestinal illness. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024 This media inattention is symptomatic of a larger national neglect, which is partly a result of geography. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024 But increasing steelhead deaths due to water pumps are symptomatic of the severe stresses fish populations are experiencing, and demand changes to how the state’s water systems are managed, Artis said. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The current Covid-19 vaccine, which was updated last fall, is considered highly effective and may cut the chances of getting a symptomatic infection by half. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Symptoms of chronic wasting disease in deer Deer with chronic wasting disease are symptomatic for first year or two before exhibiting lethargy, weight loss, drooling, poor coordination, and desensitization to nearby threats like people, predators, and cars. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 29 Feb. 2024 Autoimmune diseases, for example, often take years to diagnose, although the patient is symptomatic. Judy Stone, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Edd suggested that Hoover’s lofty career was symptomatic of a larger identity problem within the academy. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 The commission's work in bringing Desert X to AlUla is symptomatic of its broader goals – to revitalize the region economically, socially, and culturally, and to forge new paths for sustainable tourism. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symptomatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of symptomatic was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near symptomatic

Cite this Entry

“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

symptomatic

adjective
symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom (as of disease)
an itchy skin rash is symptomatic of poison ivy
b
: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms
a symptomatic patient
2
: showing a quality or identity : characteristic
symptomatically adverb

Medical Definition

symptomatic

adjective
symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce symptomatic (audio)
1
a
: being a symptom of a disease
gummas symptomatic of syphilis
b
: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause
symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage
2
: concerned with or affecting symptoms
symptomatic treatment
3
: having symptoms
a symptomatic patient
symptomatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on symptomatic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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