synaptic

adjective

syn·​ap·​tic sə-ˈnap-tik How to pronounce synaptic (audio)
1
: of or relating to a synapsis
2
: of or relating to a synapse
synaptically adverb

Examples of synaptic in a Sentence

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.
This property, called synaptic plasticity, meant the researchers could train their acoustic synapse to perform a range of tasks. IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2026 Maybe there’s a way to hack the algorithm constructively, to create virtual synaptic connections that don’t quite exist yet. Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026 The fundamental processes governing brain health — genetics, neural and synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation — do not respect the arbitrary boundaries drawn between neurology and psychiatry. Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026 This process is mainly thought to result from synaptic plasticity, or changes to the trillions of connections between neurons. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for synaptic

Word History

Etymology

New Latin synapsis

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synaptic was in 1895

Cite this Entry

“Synaptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synaptic. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

synaptic

adjective
syn·​ap·​tic
si-ˈnap-tik, British also sī-
1
: of, relating to, or participating in synapsis
synaptic chromosomes
2
: of or relating to a synapse
synaptic transmission
synaptically adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster