codependent

[koh-di-pen-duh nt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR codependent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

one who is codependent or in a codependent relationship.

Origin of codependent

First recorded in 1985–90

Related formsco·de·pend·en·cy, co·de·pend·ence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for codependent

addicted, hooked, attached, interconnected, interdependent

Examples from the Web for codependent

Contemporary Examples of codependent

These are codependent people who defend Cruz because they think they are helping him.
Ted Cruz is the Miley Cyrus of the Senate
Dean Obeidallah
October 11, 2013
Or are they just pulling your chain with codependent demands?
What the Stars Hold for Your Week
Starsky + Cox
July 30, 2011
Mainly by extricating yourself from codependent dynamics with them.
What the Stars Hold for Your Week
Starsky + Cox
July 8, 2011
This phase can develop into an unhealthy, codependent relationship.
Meet America's Overworked Caregivers
Gail Sheehy
April 30, 2010

Word Origin and History for codependent

adj.

also co-dependent, by 1905, in various senses, from co- + dependent. Modern psycological sense is attested from c.1983. Related: Codependence, codependency.