synaptic

adjective syn·ap·tic \ sə-ˈnap-tik \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of synaptic

1 : of or relating to a synapsis

2 : of or relating to a synapse

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synaptically

play \sə-ˈnap-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of synaptic from the Web

This coating, made of a substance called myelin, protects our nerves and speeds up those vital electrical pulses moving from one neuron to the next, kissing across synaptic gaps in a brisk burst of chemicals.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Inward Empire," 27 June 2018
The Neanderoid neurons also make fewer synaptic connections, creating what resembles an abnormal neuronal network.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "Exclusive: Neanderthal “minibrains” grown in dish.," 20 June 2018
His exquisite images, still used in textbooks, ignite synaptic charges throughout 20th-century art, from Surrealism onward.

— New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in NYC This Weekend," 29 Mar. 2018
These pulses, and those from other pressure sensor/ring oscillator combos, are fed into a third device called a synaptic transistor, which sends out a series of electrical pulses in patterns that match those produced by biological neurons.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "New artificial nerves could transform prosthetics," 31 May 2018
His exquisite images, still used in textbooks, ignite synaptic charges throughout 20th-century art, from Surrealism onward.

— New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in NYC This Weekend," 29 Mar. 2018
In an accompanying graphic, the team shows the relative synaptic complexity of several animals.

— mark hachman, PCWorld, "Intel's Loihi roadmap calls for its brain chips to be as 'smart' as a mouse by 2019," 14 May 2018
But there is something wonderful in the synaptic nimbleness with which people nowadays can plug in all these holes and create a pretty accurate whole other person.

— allie briggs, refinery29.com, "If You've Ever Been In A Texting Relationship, This Novel Is For You," 28 Mar. 2018
His exquisite images, still used in textbooks, ignite synaptic charges throughout 20th-century art, from Surrealism onward.

— New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in NYC This Weekend," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'synaptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.