synthetic

1 of 2

adjective

syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthe-tik 

1

: relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic

the synthetic aspects of a philosophy

2

: attributing to a subject something determined by observation rather than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting in self-contradiction if negated compare analytic

3

: characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected forms to express grammatical relationships

synthetic languages

4

a(1)

: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis

especially : produced artificially

synthetic drugs

synthetic silk

(2)

: of or relating to a synfuel

b

: devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities

c

: factitious, bogus

synthetically

sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

synthetic

2 of 2

noun

: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally

especially : a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis

Synonyms

Adjective

• artificial
• man-made
• nonnatural

Examples of synthetic in a Sentence

Adjective

that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers

boots of waterproof synthetic leather

Noun

The drug is a synthetic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Some companies have been turning to synthetic data, using generative AI models to create more data that is in turn then used to train the next generation of generative AI models. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024

Researchers are also working on protecting seed source trees from the mountain pine beetles, which involves hanging pouches with synthetic version of the beetles on the tree, Bockino said. —Lilia Geho, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek synthetikos of composition, component, from syntithenai to put together

First Known Use

Adjective

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing synthetic

• synthetic division
• synthetic geometry
• synthetic resin

Kids Definition

synthetic

1 of 2 adjective

syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthet-ik 

1

: relating to or involving synthesis

2

: of, relating to, or produced by chemical synthesis

especially : produced artificially

synthetic drugs

synthetic fibers

synthetically

-ˈthet-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

synthetic

2 of 2 noun

: a product of chemical synthesis

Medical Definition

synthetic

1 of 2 adjective

syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthet-ik 

: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis

especially : produced artificially

synthetic drugs

synthetic dyes

synthetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

synthetic

2 of 2 noun

: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis