synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

b

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

c

: the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole

also : the complex so formed

2

a

: deductive reasoning

b

philosophy : the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth

3

linguistics : the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as a characteristic device of a language

Traditionally, the history of English grammar has been described in terms of the shift from synthesis to analysis, i.e. from a language which expresses the relationship between words by means of inflectional endings joined to lexical stems to one which maps such relationships by means of function words such as prepositions.

—Laurel Brinton and Alexander Bergs

compare analysis

synthesist

ˈsin(t)-thə-sist 

noun

Synonyms of synthesis

• mixture
• amalgamation
• blend
• mix
• amalgam
• alloy
• combination
• fusion

Examples of synthesis in a Sentence

a philosophy that is a kind of synthesis of several schools of Western and Eastern thought

Recent Examples on the Web

In an era of rapid technological change, the Tokyo gathering suggested that the future of filmmaking may depend less on choosing between human and artificial intelligence, and more on their thoughtful synthesis — with human emotion firmly in the driver’s seat. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

Other existing techniques, including catalytic pyrolysis and one-pot synthesis, are known to enable the production of structurally superior carbon nanotubes and porous carbon. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025

Eating protein helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which is a process that builds and repairs muscle tissue. —Beth Krietsch, Outside, 25 Oct. 2025

The study's findings also suggest that microbiome serotonin synthesis may require two or more bacteria and microbe-microbe interactions, which now requires further investigation. —New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek, from syntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to put, place — more at do

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing synthesis

• synthesis gas

Rhymes for synthesis

• synthesise
• biosynthesis
• photosynthesis
• nucleosynthesis

Kids Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -thə-ˌsēz 

1

: the combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

especially : the production of a substance by union of chemically simpler substances

2

a

: the combining of often very different ideas into an ordered whole

b

: the product so formed

Medical Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -ˌsēz 

1

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

2

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

protein synthesis