systematic

adjective sys·tem·at·ic \ ˌsis-tə-ˈma-tik \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition 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

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systematically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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systematicness

play \-tik-nəs\ noun

See systematic defined for English-language learners

See systematic defined for kids

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 of systematic from the Web

Additionally, the record did not establish that the university created and offered the courses as part of a systematic effort to benefit only student-athletes.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity, "In North Carolina academic fraud outcome, NCAA is the loser," 13 Oct. 2017
The systematic elimination of any source of intra-party dissent has been one of the significant developments of recent weeks.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Republican Party Is Gearing Up for War on the Rule of Law," 30 Oct. 2017
The bank is already a systematic internalizer in cash equities.

— frances schwartzkopff, Bloomberg.com, "Nordea Makes Early Bid to Help Fund Managers Cope With MiFID," 26 Oct. 2017
Around the globe, the hyperwealthy 1 percent are engaged in a feckless, hedonistic binge to end all binges, their systematic consumption obliterating the prospects of the poor, nature, and future generations.

— Longreads, "We Should Be Talking About the Effect of Climate Change on Cities," 20 Oct. 2017
Culture, the systematic transmission of experience, is how humanity has survived from prehistory to the age of the iPhone.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "The audience, under fire: Why survival of culture depends on protection from guns," 3 Oct. 2017
More systematic and collective data-gathering about the status of individual bodies likewise dates back centuries.

— jacob brogan, Slate Magazine, "My Quantified Monster and Me," 18 Oct. 2017
Now, in what appears to be a systematic purge, the minority ethnic group is being wiped off the map.

— robin mcdowell, The Seattle Times, "Rohingya Muslims are being wiped off Myanmar’s map," 19 Sep. 2017
While a national museum might claim a more systematic cast, a regional museum is usually closer to the passions of the collector and the curiosity cabinets of old.

— edward rothstein, WSJ, "In Praise of the Regional Museum," 28 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'systematic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of systematic

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1666

See Words from the same year

systematic Synonyms

Synonyms

neat, orderly, organized, regular, methodical, systematized

Antonyms

disorganized, haphazard, hit-or-miss, immethodical, irregular, nonsystematic, patternless, planless, systemless, unsystematic

Related Words

ordered, regularized, standardized, structured; accurate, clocklike, correct, exact, precise; detailed, specific

Near Antonyms

chaotic, disordered, disorderly, shambolic [chiefly British], unordered

SYSTEMATIC Defined for English Language Learners

systematic

adjective

Definition of systematic for English Language Learners

: using a careful system or method : done according to a system

SYSTEMATIC Defined for Kids

systematic

adjective sys·tem·at·ic \ ˌsi-stə-ˈma-tik \

Definition of systematic for Students

: using a system or a regular and orderly method

She works in a systematic way.

—

systematically

\-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

Medical Dictionary

systematic

adjective sys·tem·at·ic \ ˌsis-tə-ˈmat-ik \

medical Definition of systematic

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

—

systematically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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