/sin"euhr jiz'euhm, si nerr"jiz-/ , n.
1. the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.
2. the joint action of agents, as drugs, that when taken together increase each other's effectiveness (contrasted with antagonism ).
3. Theol. the doctrine that the human will cooperates with the Holy Ghost in the work of regeneration. Cf. monergism .
[ 1755-65; synergismus synerg ( ós ) working together ( syn- SYN- + érg ( on ) WORK + -os adj. suffix) + NL -ismus -ISM ]