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synergy

SIN-er-jee /ˈsɪn.ə.dʒi/

nounC1GREGMATSAT

corporatescientific

The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Synergy is not just 'working together'; it is the 'bonus' value created that wouldn't exist if the parties worked alone.

The story behind the word. From the Greek 'syn-' (together) and 'ergon' (work). It was originally a theological term in the 17th century, describing the cooperation of the human will with divine grace.

Word relationships

collaboration: Collaboration is the act of working together; synergy is the extra result produced by that collaboration.

antagonism: In science, antagonism is when two substances interfere with each other, producing a result smaller than their separate effects.

Commonly confused with

cooperation: Cooperation is helping each other; synergy is combining forces to create something entirely new or much larger.

Word family

synergistic (adjective): relating to the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations or substances.

Collocations

create synergy
corporate synergy
synergy between
positive synergy

Idioms & expressions

the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Example sentences

"The merger of the two companies created a synergy that allowed them to dominate the market." Corporate Mergers
"There is a powerful synergy between certain vitamins that helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively." Biology

Memory hook

Think of 'Sync' (together) + 'Energy' = Synergy. 1 + 1 = 3.

When not to use

Avoid using it as a buzzword for simple teamwork; use it when 1 + 1 = 3.

Fun facts

Buckminster Fuller, the famous architect, helped popularize the term 'synergetics' to describe how complex systems behave.