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.

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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

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

As much as their codependent friendship brings them closer, when spoken to at the same time, Roman and Dennis always differ in their answers, evincing an underlying disconnect.

From Los Angeles Times

Badly wanting this to be different from my codependent and stifling marriage, I told myself his aloofness was a good thing.

From Los Angeles Times

But however fraught, or codependent their relationship was, Guibert says, it remained strong to the end.

From Los Angeles Times