semisynthetic

adjective

semi·​syn·​thet·​ic ˌse-mē-sin-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce semisynthetic (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
1
: produced by chemical alteration of a natural starting material
semisynthetic penicillins
2
: containing both chemically identified and complex natural ingredients
a semisynthetic diet
3
: partly synthetic
semisynthetic motor oil

Examples of semisynthetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There were also some declines seen in certain drugs, with lower rates reported for heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids, and methadone. CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 Between 2021 and 2022, the death rate involving synthetic opioids other than methadone -- such as fentanyl -- increased by 4.1% from 21.8 per 100,000 to 22.7 per 100,000, while rates for deaths involving heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids and methadone declined. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 The rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids and methadone were lower in 2018 than the previous year. Janet Adamy, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2020 Hydrocodone and oxycodone are semisynthetic opioids used to treat pain. Author: Lindsey Bever, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'semisynthetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semisynthetic was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near semisynthetic

Cite this Entry

“Semisynthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semisynthetic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

semisynthetic

adjective
semi·​syn·​thet·​ic -sin-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce semisynthetic (audio)
1
: produced by chemical alteration of a natural starting material
semisynthetic penicillins
2
: containing both chemically identified and complex natural ingredients
a semisynthetic diet
semisynthetically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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