Meaning & use
synergize
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitivebusiness
To work together with others, or to combine things, so that the combined result is greater than the parts could achieve alone.
Grammar: Intransitive: the teams synergize; transitive: synergize our efforts.
Patterns
- synergize with someone
- synergize something
The two departments need to synergize to launch the product on time.
The merger lets the firms synergize their research.
Musicians sometimes synergize in ways nobody expected.
verbintransitivetechnical
To produce a stronger effect when combined, as certain medicines or chemicals do.
Grammar: Often used for substances that interact.
Patterns
- synergize with something
Some medicines synergize with each other and need lower doses.
The two compounds synergize to kill bacteria more effectively.
Vitamin C may synergize with certain antioxidants.
Word forms
| third person singular | synergizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | synergized |
| past participle | synergized |
| -ing form | synergizing |
Common combinations
- synergize efforts
- We hope to synergize our efforts with local schools.
- synergize with
- The two products synergize with each other.
- synergize resources
- The companies will synergize resources.
- synergize teams
- The manager tried to synergize the teams.
- synergize well
- The partners synergize well.
Synonyms and how they differ
- collaborate
- Collaborate is a plain word for working together, while synergize also claims the result is greater than the sum.
- cooperate
- Cooperate suggests helping one another and doesn't imply extra benefit.
- combine
- Combine is neutral and applies to things as well as people.
- pool
- Pool means to put resources together, while synergize promises added value.
Opposites
Word family
- synergy noun
- the extra benefit of working together
- synergistic adjective
- working together for a greater result
- synergism noun
- the combined effect greater than separate effects
- synergist noun
- a substance or agent that works with another
Commonly confused: synergize or energize? synergize or synthesize?
synergize vs energize
Energize means to give energy to, while synergize means to combine for greater effect.
synergize vs synthesize
Synthesize means to make something by combining parts, and it is not the same as working together.
Practice
The managers hoped the two teams would ___ and deliver more than either could alone.
Choose one answer.
Synergize means to combine for a greater result. Energize gives energy to something, which does not describe teamwork.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “synergize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.