commensal

adjective

Definition of commensalnext
as in mutualistic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of commensal This is very useful for a practice called commensal SETI, whereby a SETI instrument piggybacks on a radio telescope's usual day-to-day observations. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 For example, cleaning stations are mutualistic while hitchhiking is commensal. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 Feb. 2026 This represents a prey pathway in the domestication process in addition to a commensal one. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025 According to some biologists, this might show that these birds are on their way to becoming commensal with humans—benefiting from living closely alongside them—like pigeons have in urban areas. — Jorge Garay, Wired News, 29 May 2025 In commensal domestication, however, humans unintentionally create an environment that attracts the animal. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commensal
  1. mutualistic
  2. symbiotic
  3. dependent
Adjective
  • By comparing interspecies cooperation with communication systems found within species and in other mutualistic relationships, the authors provide a broader framework for understanding how cooperation emerges and persists.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
  • This suggests that the mutualistic relationship is obligatory for the host but facultative for the endosymbiont (see also coral bleaching).
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Definition of mutualistic
Adjective
  • The relationship between hardware and Physical AI is symbiotic.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But the symbiotic essence of orchids, the key to their immense evolutionary and ecological success, remained unknown until the end of nineteenth century.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of symbiotic
Adjective
  • Tennis has always been highly dependent on the weather; unlike in soccer or football, rain cancels or delays a match until the court is dry enough to be playable.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sanctioning that deal was always dependent on Liverpool being able to recruit a suitable replacement for the Netherlands international at an acceptable price.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of dependent

Browse Nearby Words

commends
commensal
commensurable
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Commensal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commensal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All