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
In Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to ban synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, forcing millions of Sri Lanka’s farmers to go organic. Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Additionally, the Kraft Heinz Company will phase out synthetic dyes from the roughly 10% of its US portfolio that still contains them before the end of 2027. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Noun
In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025 The speculation about a potential Alien and Predator crossover comes from the trailer's reveal that Fanning's Thia is a synthetic, the Alien universe's term for its android characters. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 24 Apr. 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 4 Jul. 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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