Meaning & use
coexist
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To live or be present together at the same time or in the same place, especially without fighting.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'with': Different groups coexist with each other.
Patterns
- coexist with someone/something
- coexist peacefully
- coexist side by side
The two communities have coexisted peacefully for generations.
Modern technology coexists with traditional farming methods in this region.
It is possible for different opinions to coexist in a healthy debate.
verbintransitive
To happen or exist at the same time as something else, often in a way that is noticeable.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'with': The problem coexists with other issues.
Patterns
- coexist with something
- coexist alongside something
In many patients, anxiety coexists with depression.
The festival coexists with the harvest season, so the town is always busy.
Rapid growth coexists with serious pollution in some cities.
Word forms
| third person singular | coexists |
|---|---|
| past tense | coexisted |
| past participle | coexisted |
| -ing form | coexisting |
Common combinations
- coexist peacefully
- The two religious groups have learned to coexist peacefully.
- coexist with
- Wild animals can coexist with humans if we respect their space.
- coexist side by side
- Old and new buildings coexist side by side in the city center.
- coexist alongside
- Traditional medicine coexists alongside modern treatments.
- coexist in harmony
- The neighbors coexist in harmony despite their different backgrounds.
Synonyms and how they differ
- live together
- Focuses on sharing a home or space; coexist is broader and often about groups or ideas avoiding conflict.
- get along
- Means having a friendly relationship; coexist only means not fighting, so it is weaker.
- co-occur
- Used for things happening at the same time, especially in technical contexts; coexist often suggests tolerance or acceptance.
Opposites
Word family
- coexistence noun
- The state of existing together peacefully.
- coexistent adjective
- Existing at the same time.
- coexisting adjective
- Present at the same time.
Commonly confused: coexist or coexist?
coexist vs coexist
Sometimes confused with 'coincide', which means to happen at the same time by chance, not to live together peacefully.
Practice
The two species manage to ___ in the same forest without competing for food.
Choose one answer.
After 'manage to' we need the base form 'coexist'. 'Coexists' is third-person singular and does not fit after 'to'; 'coexisted' is past tense; 'coexisting' is a participle and cannot follow 'to' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “coexist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.