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 a statement, Kraft Heinz said nearly 90% of its U.S. products are already free of synthetic dyes. Maria Godoy, NPR, 17 June 2025 The push to end synthetic dyes In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the HHS asked the food industry to stop using synthetic food dyes. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 June 2025
Noun
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 The researchers decided to test 10 popular chewing gums—five natural and five synthetic—sold in the United States (the study doesn’t mention the brands). Julia Ries, Health, 1 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 30 Jun. 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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