Synonyms of symptomaticnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even so, these dismissals are symptomatic of a system in crisis. Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026 But the papers, or lack thereof, are symptomatic of a more crucial shift with the Obama Center. Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Officials note that this is the first symptomatic case in California this season. Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 Even so, the public health department urged health providers to suspect the virus in symptomatic people who traveled to certain East or Central African nations in the last three weeks. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for symptomatic

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of symptomatic was in 1698

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

symptomatic

adjective
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

Medical Definition

symptomatic

adjective
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

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