synergy

Synergy refers to when an interaction of elements produces an effect that is greater than the effect that would have resulted from simply adding up the effects of each individual element.

In other words, synergy is what happens when a combination of things produces an effect or result that is said to be “greater than the sum of its parts.”

When you combine things—chemicals, ingredients, people—you often expect these things to interact in a certain way based on what has been included. But when something extra happens, something greater, this is synergy. Synergy implies that the magic is in the combination, as opposed to in the individual elements themselves.

Synergy can be used in all kinds of contexts. A food critic might say that a particular dish is delicious due to the synergy of its ingredients. In the business world, the word synergy is often seen as a kind of buzzword that’s used as a way of referring to what makes a certain project or venture successful.

Synergy is also used in a more specific way in the context of medicine to refer to the cooperation of multiple body parts, such as muscles or nerves. It can also refer to the interaction of drugs or other stimuli. The things that cooperate in this way can be called synergists.

The word synergism can be used to mean the same thing as synergy. The adjective synergistic can be used to describe a combination that produces such an effect or things that work together in this way.

Example: The cooperation between these departments produced a synergy that led to great success.

The first records of the word synergy come from the 1650s. It comes from the Greek synerg(ós), meaning “working together,” from syn-, “together,” and érg(on), “work.” The root érg(on) is also the basis of words like energy and ergonomics.

Synergy is usually used in the context of things or people working together in a special, almost magical way. It can be used in all kinds of contexts. In music, it can refer to something like harmony, or something even more. It often involves an intangible quality that’s produced by a combination that is said to be “greater than the sum of its parts.”

What are some other forms of synergy?

• synergistic (adjective)
• synergic (adjective)

What are some synonyms for synergy?

• synergism

What are some words that share a root or word element with synergy? 

• synergist
• energy
• ergonomics

What are some words that often get used in discussing synergy?

• combination
• element
• sum
• part
• harmony
• teamwork
• cooperation
• effort
• cause
• goal
• together

Synergy is typically used in a positive way in the discussion of things or people coming together to produce something great.

Love the synergy we have when we make these songs

— Twelve (@twelvetheartist) December 3, 2020

Z is "an effective horror film that manages to capture a special kind of synergy in creeping you out while also pulling you into a great drama," writes our @Umbrella_Ops. Debuts on @Shudder on May 7th.

REVIEW: https://t.co/aGqroaNC05 #shuddershutin pic.twitter.com/0QRzIRSMv0

— Killer Horror Critic (@KillerfromSpace) May 5, 2020

This is the kind of synergy betwen #openaccess journals and library collections that we all dream of :) https://t.co/kyp278zM8W

— Ernesto Priego (@ernestopriego) March 15, 2017

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe an effect that is said to be the result of synergy?

A. successful
B. magical
C. unproductive
D. effective