Synonyms of systematic
1
: relating to or consisting of a system
2
: presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles
systematic thought
3
a
: methodical in procedure or plan
a systematic approach
a systematic scholar
b
: marked by thoroughness and regularity
systematic efforts
4
: of, relating to, or concerned with classification
specifically : taxonomic
Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method.

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system, be that system physical, organizational, or societal. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations. Systemic is also used specifically to identify something as fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice.

systemic racism

Examples of systematic in a Sentence

We used a systematic approach to solve the problem. She made a systematic study of the evidence. the systematic production of cars
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Clippers make this sound like a case of somebody forgetting to put a cover sheet on their TPS reports, but the document shows a systematic process that yielded four different counts of circumvention. John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The film details how the tenets of the 14th Amendment, ratified post-Civil War, are now under systematic attack. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Health optimization requires a systematic and sustainable approach. Mick Safron, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 In response to our distressing new reality, DuVernay has created a thrillingly expansive sequel of sorts, which passionately and persuasively details how the tenets of the 14th Amendment, ratified post–Civil War, are now under systematic attack. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for systematic

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin systematicus, from Greek systēmatikos, from systēmat-, systēma

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of systematic was in 1666

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Systematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systematic. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

systematic

adjective
1
: relating to or forming a system
systematic thought
2
: presented or worked out as a system
3
: carried out or acting with thoroughness or regularity
systematic efforts

Medical Definition

systematic

adjective
: of, relating to, or concerned with classification
specifically : taxonomic
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