systemic
English meaning: Systemic
Definition
Something systemic relates to or affects an entire system rather than its parts. Speakers point to systemic problems that need systemic change.
Example
“The report exposed deep systemic failures.”
Another example: “The infection became systemic, spreading from the wound into the bloodstream.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Formal-to-technical; means affecting a whole system ('systemic racism', 'systemic risk'). Common in sociology, economics and medicine (where it means affecting the whole body, e.g. 'a systemic infection'). Distinguish from 'systematic' (methodical).
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'system', from Greek 'systema', meaning an organized whole.
Synonyms
- structural
- institutional
- pervasive
- wholesale
- ingrained
Antonyms / Opposites
- localized
- superficial
Related Words
- scleroderma
- vasculitis
- lupus
- sle
- candidiasis
- rheumatoid
- autoimmune
- aberrations
- sclerosis
- venous
- sepsis
- capillaries
Common Collocations
- systemic racism
- systemic risk
- systemic change
- systemic problem
- systemic failure
Word Forms
systemic (adj); systemically (adv); system (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B