What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complementarily
Example
The colors of the flowers complemented each other perfectly. [complement: verb]
Example
The dessert was a perfect complement to the main course. [complement: noun]
supplementarily
Example
I take vitamins supplementarily to ensure I get all the nutrients I need. [supplementarily: adverb]
Example
The additional research provided supplementary evidence to support the hypothesis. [supplementary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Supplementarily is less common than complementarily in everyday language. Complementarily is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while supplementarily is more specific and often used in the context of nutrition or research.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between complementarily and supplementarily?
Both complementarily and supplementarily are formal words, but supplementarily is more technical and scientific in nature, while complementarily can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
