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codependent

American  
[koh-di-pen-duhnt] / ˌkoʊ dɪˈpɛn dənt /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a relationship in which one person is physically or psychologically addicted, as to alcohol or gambling, and the other person is psychologically dependent on the first in an unhealthy way.


noun

  1. one who is codependent or in a codependent relationship.

Other Word Forms

  • codependence noun
  • codependency noun

Etymology

Origin of codependent

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the risk of sounding codependent, there may come a time in the not-so-distant future when you need help yourself.

From MarketWatch

Allowing yourself to be guilted into signing a loan agreement is codependent behavior, and you and your husband need third-party intervention/mediation.

From MarketWatch

“I didn’t want to be codependent. I didn’t want to be an enabler. I wanted there to be autonomy for this human being.”

From Los Angeles Times

Writer-director Michael Shanks plays their discordant musical taste like a minor joke among all the major reasons why their codependent relationship has hit the skids.

From Los Angeles Times

And the thing that was weighing on me was that if the love story doesn’t work, if we don’t believe these two people are madly in love with each other and needing each other — they’re quite codependent — the movie’s not going to work.

From Los Angeles Times