Synergy

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈsɪnÉ™dÊ’i/
• US enPR: sÄ­nʹər-jÄ“, IPA: /ˈsɪnÉšdÊ’i/

Origin

From Ancient Greek συνεργία (sunergia, "joint work, assistance, help"), from συνεργός (sunergos, "working together"), from σύν (sun, "together") + ἔργον (ergon, "work").

Full definition of synergy

Noun

1. Behavior of a system that cannot be predicted by the behavior of its parts.
2. (medicine) Combined action; the combined healthy action of every organ of a particular system; as, the digestive synergy.
3. (pharmacology) An interaction between drugs where the effects are stronger than their mere sum.
4. Benefits resulting from combining two different groups, people, objects or processes.

Usage notes

Synergy is frequently dismissed as business jargon.

Antonyms

• anergy (in economics)

Related terms

• energy