synthetic

¹syn·thet·ic

adj \sin-ˈthe-tik\

Definition of SYNTHETIC

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

— syn·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of SYNTHETIC

1. <that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers>
2. <boots of waterproof synthetic leather>

Origin of SYNTHETIC

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

First Known Use: 1697

Related to SYNTHETIC

Synonyms: artificial, man-made, nonnatural

Antonyms: natural

Related Words: fabricated, manufactured; cultivated, processed, refined; industrial, mechanical; ersatz, faux, imitation

Near Antonyms: crude, raw

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

Rhymes with SYNTHETIC

aesthetic, ascetic, athletic, balletic, bathetic, cometic, cosmetic, eidetic, emetic, frenetic, gametic, genetic, hermetic, limnetic, magnetic, mimetic, noetic, Ossetic, paretic, pathetic, phenetic, phonetic, phyletic, poetic, prophetic, prosthetic, pyretic, splenetic, syncretic, syndetic, tonetic, Venetic