: a liquid or gaseous fuel derived especially from a fossil fuel that is a solid (such as coal) or part of a solid (such as tar sand or oil shale)

Word History

Etymology

synthetic + fuel

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of synfuel was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Synfuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synfuel. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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