What does "systemic" mean?
Embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a whole system, group, body, economy, market, or society.
Systemic
/sɪˈstɛmɪk/ adj
adj ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a whole system, group, body, economy, market, or society.
- Grammar: systemic is listed as adj.
- Nearest alternatives: acaricide, agricultural ecosystem balance, agricultural systems, anthelmintic.
- Useful contrasts: endemic, topical, atomistic perspective.
- Usage evidence: Systemic diseases are those that affect the entire organism.
How to use "systemic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "systemic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "systemic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "systemic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "systemic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "systemic" is acting as adj in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acaricide" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "systemic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a whole system, group, body, economy, market, or society. not-comparable
"We can learn from the incidents found it the project database - looking at them and understanding what happened and what might have been done differently. We can see past errors, including systemic issues that required attention at managerial levels."
- 2 Pertaining to an entire organism. not-comparable
"Iberdomide, a cereblon modulator promoting degradation of the transcription factors Ikaros and Aiolos, which affect leukocyte development and autoimmunity, is being evaluated for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)."
Adjective
- 1 affecting an entire system wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Systemic diseases are those that affect the entire organism."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "systemic"?
Common synonyms include: acaricide, agricultural ecosystem balance, agricultural systems, anthelmintic, antibiotic, antiblack.
How do you use "systemic" in a sentence?
Systemic diseases are those that affect the entire organism.
How do you pronounce "systemic"?
Pronounced /sɪˈstɛmɪk/.
Etymology
From system + -ic. Doublet of systematic.