synergy
Americannoun
PLURAL
synergies-
the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.; synergism.
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Physiology, Medicine/Medical. the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves, or the like.
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Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs.
noun
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Also called: synergism. the potential ability of individual organizations or groups to be more successful or productive as a result of a merger
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another name for synergism
Usage
What does synergy mean? 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. Synergy implies that the magic is in the combination, as opposed to in the individual elements themselves.Synergy can be used in all kinds of contexts. A food critic might say that a particular dish is delicious due to the synergy of its ingredients. In the business world, the word synergy is often seen as a kind of buzzword that’s used as a way of referring to what makes a certain project or venture successful.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.The word synergism can be used to mean the same thing as synergy. The adjective synergistic can be used to describe a combination that produces such an effect or things that work together in this way.Example: The cooperation between these departments produced a synergy that led to great success.
Other Word Forms
- synergic adjective
Etymology
Origin of synergy
First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin synergia, from Greek synergía, from synerg(ós) “working together” ( synergism ) + -ia -y 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We can foresee some pushback around capital discipline, given the 33% bid premium, and deal synergies are likely to be an important factor here,” he notes.
Yet it is hard to argue against the synergies and efficiencies of a more collaborative statistical approach.
From Barron's
At the very least, they emphasize the mingling, cooperation and synergy of the two sides over their conflict and competition.
From Washington Post
The merger, which is expected to close in the second half of 2022, is projected to result in synergies of $500 million annually, mainly through operational savings.
From Reuters
To build synergies, CD&R wants to open Morrisons branded convenience stores on MFG forecourts supplied with Morrisons goods.
From Reuters
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
