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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:

Intesa said the deals proposed by Monte dei Paschi are complex, economically interdependent and uncertain, and would leave the group simultaneously integrating two entities while it is still digesting its recent acquisition of Mediobanca.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

And since their father, Richard Williams, largely kept them out of junior tournaments, that interdependent learning likely proved especially potent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

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

Another limitation is that VBayesMM treats bacteria as independent actors, even though they often interact in complex, interdependent networks.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2025

He ached from head to foot, all zones of pain seemingly interdependent.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

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