mutual
adjective
mu·tu·al
ˈmyü-chə-wəl 
-chəl,
-chü-əl;
ˈmyüch-wəl
1
a
: directed by each toward the other or the others
mutual affection
b
: having the same feelings one for the other
they had long been mutual enemies
c
: shared in common
enjoying their mutual hobby
d
: joint
to their mutual advantage
2
: characterized by intimacy
mutual contacts
3
: of or relating to a plan whereby the members of an organization share in the profits and expenses
specifically
: of, relating to, or taking the form of an insurance method in which the policyholders constitute the members of the insuring company
mutually
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of mutual in a Sentence
Mutual love and respect was the key to their successful marriage.
The partnership was based on mutual admiration and understanding.
countries relying on mutual support during difficult times
our mutual hobby of car racing
It was a mutual effort.
We had a mutual agreement not to tell our secret.
Recent Examples on the Web
This astrological alignment is conducive to a deeper understanding of their communication styles, as there is a mutual appreciation for each other’s honesty and way of thinking.
—
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term
Dessner and Atwell talk about their dynamic with an air of mutual reverence.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
Fire and emergency services coverage will stay the same as Rogers, Cave Springs, Bentonville and Centerton have a mutual aid agreement, Cave Springs Fire Chief Gary Jordan said.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 24 Apr. 2024
The ensemble is built on a spirit of independence and mutual admiration.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Nitrogen is a very important nutrient for life to exist and plants normally get it through mutual relationships with the bacteria that remain separate from the plant or algae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
Other recommendations include creating a statewide mutual aid program and an evacuation plan for residents and tourists who speak different languages.
—Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Rebecca Boone, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024
In 2021, former political staffer Brittany Higgins came forward in media interviews, alleging that about two years earlier she had been raped by a colleague inside Australia’s Parliament House, on a couch in the office of their mutual boss Linda Reynolds, a high-ranking lawmaker.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
But Putin and Zelensky surprised everyone with their mutual willingness to consider far-reaching concessions to end the war.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term
Dessner and Atwell talk about their dynamic with an air of mutual reverence.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
Fire and emergency services coverage will stay the same as Rogers, Cave Springs, Bentonville and Centerton have a mutual aid agreement, Cave Springs Fire Chief Gary Jordan said.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 24 Apr. 2024
The ensemble is built on a spirit of independence and mutual admiration.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Nitrogen is a very important nutrient for life to exist and plants normally get it through mutual relationships with the bacteria that remain separate from the plant or algae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
Other recommendations include creating a statewide mutual aid program and an evacuation plan for residents and tourists who speak different languages.
—Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Rebecca Boone, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024
In 2021, former political staffer Brittany Higgins came forward in media interviews, alleging that about two years earlier she had been raped by a colleague inside Australia’s Parliament House, on a couch in the office of their mutual boss Linda Reynolds, a high-ranking lawmaker.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
But Putin and Zelensky surprised everyone with their mutual willingness to consider far-reaching concessions to end the war.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mutual
Cite this Entry
“Mutual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutual. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mutual
adjective
mu·tu·al
ˈmyüch-(ə-)wəl
ˈmyü-chəl
1
a
: given and received in equal amount
mutual favors
b
: having the same relation one to the other
mutual enemies
2
: owned, shared, or enjoyed by two or more at the same time : joint
our mutual friend
mutual defense
3
: organized so that the customers share directly in the company's profits and losses
a mutual savings bank
a mutual insurance company
mutually
adverb
-ē
Legal Definition
mutual
adjective
mu·tu·al
ˈmyü-chə-wəl
1
: directed by each toward the other : reciprocal
mutual orders of protection in domestic violence cases—L. H. Schafran and Norman Wikler
L. H. Schafran and Norman Wikler2
: shared in common : joint
spouses' mutual obligation to support children of their marriage—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Code3
: of or relating to a plan whereby the members of an organization share in the profits and expenses
specifically
: of, relating to, or taking the form of an insurance method in which the policyholders constitute the members of the insuring company
mutually
adverb
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