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Synonyms

interdependent

American  
[in-ter-di-pen-duhnt] / ˌɪn tər dɪˈpɛn dənt /

adjective

  1. mutually dependent; depending on each other.


interdependent British  
/ ˌɪntədɪˈpɛndənt /

adjective

  1. relating to two or more people or things dependent on each other

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of interdependent

First recorded in 1810–20; inter- + dependent

Explanation

When objects or people are interdependent, they come to rely on each other for survival. As business becomes more and more international, the world is increasingly interdependent, with countries needing each other's help to survive. Interdependent comes from the Latin word inter meaning "among, between," and dependere which means "to hang from, be dependent on." When two people are interdependent, they have a sense of dependency between them. Married couples are often interdependent. They rely on one another — whether for income or child care or love — to get by.

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Vocabulary lists containing interdependent

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.

See Examples For:

And even in a conservative state like North Dakota, where I live, socialist, or interdependent, arrangements are seen as pillars of the community.

From Salon Jul. 26, 2026

In your book, you guide readers toward becoming interdependent, rather than codependent or independent.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 15, 2026

But their function is quite different when viewed as part of an interdependent Federal Reserve system.

From The Wall Street Journal May 14, 2026

He adds: "Even Denmark, which is a sovereign state, is interdependent… I prefer the word statehood."

From BBC Feb. 2, 2025

These traditions, moreover, although interdependent, are not the same in all the arts.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

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