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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
These hernias can be both symptomatic or asymptomatic. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 In any case, whether or not the crisis persists, the movies that have been its symptomatic victims will endure and be remembered. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2024 Children can be exposed at home or in the community through close contact with people who are symptomatic with mpox, including parents, caregivers and other family members. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Only 2% occur in the eye, and only a small percentage of those are symptomatic. Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near symptomatic

Cite this Entry

“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 5 Nov. 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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