symptomatic
adjective
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik 
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
The best defense remains up-to-date vaccination, testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded indoor spaces, and staying home when sick.
—
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The main goal of the trials should be to show that the shots help prevent symptomatic Covid, the officials wrote, with data showing at least 30% effectiveness.
—NBC news, 20 May 2025
Multiple sources said its implosion was symptomatic of some broader cultural and process problems that affected the rest of the project, too.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
This public sharing seems, in part, symptomatic of a loneliness epidemic affecting Gen Z.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for symptomatic
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.
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The main goal of the trials should be to show that the shots help prevent symptomatic Covid, the officials wrote, with data showing at least 30% effectiveness.
—NBC news, 20 May 2025
Multiple sources said its implosion was symptomatic of some broader cultural and process problems that affected the rest of the project, too.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
This public sharing seems, in part, symptomatic of a loneliness epidemic affecting Gen Z.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for symptomatic
Cite this Entry
“Symptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptomatic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symptomatic
adjective
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik
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
symp·tom·at·ic
ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share