Synonyms of systematic
1
: relating to or consisting of a system
2
: presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles
systematic thought
3
a
: methodical in procedure or plan
a systematic approach
a systematic scholar
b
: marked by thoroughness and regularity
systematic efforts
4
: of, relating to, or concerned with classification
specifically : taxonomic
Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method.

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system, be that system physical, organizational, or societal. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations. Systemic is also used specifically to identify something as fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice.

systemic racism

Examples of systematic in a Sentence

We used a systematic approach to solve the problem. She made a systematic study of the evidence. the systematic production of cars
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.
The idea that the absence of private property and systematic inequality automatically removes coercion—which forms the core of the Marxist theory of history—is not proven. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 Research to be presented at this year’s NeurIPS conference in Sydney, Australia, demonstrates the benefits of a process for making biological computing more systematic known as an Embodied Neurocomputation Framework. — Mike McRae 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026 Weber balked, arguing that federal law precludes systematic roll purges within 90 days of an election to protect eligible voters. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 The fungus causes a severe infection associated with a 60% to 70% fatality rate, even with aggressive medical intervention, according to a systematic review published in Medical Mycology. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for systematic

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin systematicus, from Greek systēmatikos, from systēmat-, systēma

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of systematic was in 1666

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Systematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systematic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

systematic

adjective
1
: relating to or forming a system
systematic thought
2
: presented or worked out as a system
3
: carried out or acting with thoroughness or regularity
systematic efforts

Medical Definition

systematic

adjective
: of, relating to, or concerned with classification
specifically : taxonomic
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