synthetic

1 of 2

adjective

syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce synthetic (audio)
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
synthetically 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

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
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.
Adjective
The organic cotton is pesticide-free as Boll & Branch uses marigolds on their farms in place of synthetic alternatives, and the farming methods use less water. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2025 Companies like Upside Foods have developed synthetic meat that can be made in the same city rather than shipped halfway across the world. Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is used for pain relief and as an anesthetic, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration website. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 The synthetic web, hung from the ceiling, was made with a combination of parachute cords and cords used for hair ties to mimic the two kinds of silk spiders used when spinning their webs. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for synthetic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of synthetic was in 1697

Cite this Entry

“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

synthetic

1 of 2 adjective
syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce synthetic (audio)
1
: relating to or involving synthesis
2
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical synthesis
especially : produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic fibers
synthetically adverb

synthetic

2 of 2 noun
: a product of chemical synthesis

Medical Definition

synthetic

1 of 2 adjective
syn·​thet·​ic sin-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce synthetic (audio)
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis
especially : produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic dyes
synthetically adverb

synthetic

2 of 2 noun
: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis

More from Merriam-Webster on synthetic

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