codependent
adjective
co·de·pen·dent
ˌkō-di-ˈpen-dənt 
variants
or less commonly co-dependent
1
psychology
: participating in or exhibiting codependency
codependent behavior
a codependent relationship
The concept of "codependency" originally arose in describing the dynamics in relationships affected by addictions. The codependent individual was analogous to the "enabler" who takes responsibility for, minimizes the effects of, and overlooks the repercussions of the behavior of people who are in active addiction.—
Gina M. Sala
Gina M. Sala2
: mutually dependent
Dancing and hip hop are codependent: We can't have one without the other.—Todd James
Todd James… the world's stock markets are interconnected and co-dependent. When one market quakes, others can tremble.—Gregg Ip
Gregg Ip
codependent
noun
or less commonly co-dependent
plural codependents also co-dependents
Sufferers become excessively dependent on other people's needs, particularly when those others are involved in a self-destructive addiction. In their desperation to save these people—to control their thoughts, actions and feelings—codependents may become as hooked on the addicts as the addicts are hooked on drugs and alcohol.
—J. D. Reed
J. D. Reed
Examples of codependent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That is the central tension of the book: the codependent relationship between inevitability (or predestination) and free will (the agency to buck against it).
—Literary Hub, 26 Jan. 2026
The play’s real focus is is the weirdly codependent relationship between Matt and Davis, who are intellectual equals but very different in personality, morality and career success.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
And throw in an addiction to drugs, and on top of that potentially a relationship that’s codependent, that has drugs involved too as well.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
In the show’s first three seasons, the relationship between the two characters is by turns rivalrous, affectionate, hostile, conspiratorial, and codependent.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for codependent
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Literary Hub, 26 Jan. 2026
The play’s real focus is is the weirdly codependent relationship between Matt and Davis, who are intellectual equals but very different in personality, morality and career success.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
And throw in an addiction to drugs, and on top of that potentially a relationship that’s codependent, that has drugs involved too as well.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
In the show’s first three seasons, the relationship between the two characters is by turns rivalrous, affectionate, hostile, conspiratorial, and codependent.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for codependent
Cite this Entry
“Codependent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codependent. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
codependent
adjective
co·de·pen·dent
ˌkō-di-ˈpen-dənt
variants
also co-dependent
: participating in or exhibiting codependency
a codependent relationship
The co-dependent spouse, for example, derives a purpose in life from the alcoholic's need to have someone run the household, help hide the addiction from public view and clean up disasters.—Michael Vincent Miller, The New York Times Book Review
Michael Vincent Miller, The New York Times Book Review
codependent
noun
also co-dependent
What makes chemical dependency a uniquely devastating illness is that the affected person not only suffers physically, but is morally, emotionally, and spiritually sick as well. Family and friends often become codependents and suffer, too.
—Peter D. Rogers, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Peter D. Rogers, The Journal of the American Medical Association
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