greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
idiom
—used to say that something is better or more effective as a team, combination, etc., than would be expected when looking at the different parts that form it
The team lacks standout players, but it has proved to be greater than the sum of its parts.
Examples of greater/better/more than the sum of its parts in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The value of a single, unwieldy enterprise may be greater than the sum of its parts.
—
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Berta worked alongside Diego Simeone to turn Atleti into more than the sum of its parts and the Italian will now be expected to do something similar for Arsenal.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Its ability to combine storytelling and design into something more than the sum of its parts allowed KyAlea to transport herself into the worlds that films created.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Sadly, the series never really manages to coalesce into anything more than the sum of its parts, and many of the episodes feel frustratingly dry and dull.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Berta worked alongside Diego Simeone to turn Atleti into more than the sum of its parts and the Italian will now be expected to do something similar for Arsenal.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Its ability to combine storytelling and design into something more than the sum of its parts allowed KyAlea to transport herself into the worlds that films created.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Sadly, the series never really manages to coalesce into anything more than the sum of its parts, and many of the episodes feel frustratingly dry and dull.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
Cite this Entry
“Greater/better/more than the sum of its parts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greater%2Fbetter%2Fmore%20than%20the%20sum%20of%20its%20parts. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share