synthesize

verb

syn·​the·​size ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce synthesize (audio)
synthesized; synthesizing

transitive verb

1
: to combine or produce by synthesis
2
: to make a synthesis of
3
: to produce (something, such as music) by an electronic synthesizer

intransitive verb

: to make a synthesis

Did you know?

Synthesize is a very common word in chemistry, since chemists are constantly synthesizing new compounds—that is, synthetic compounds—including drugs and industrial chemicals. It's also often used when talking about writing; nonfiction writers must often synthesize large amounts of material from many sources to produce a book—which represents a synthesis of the important materials. An electronic synthesizercreates new sounds (which may imitate the sounds of acoustic instruments) by generating different basic tones and then manipulating and merging them together with others.

Examples of synthesize in a Sentence

She synthesized the treatment from traditional and modern philosophies of medicine. He synthesized old and new ideas to form his theory. Amino acid is synthesized in the body.
Recent Examples on the Web In just a few deft strokes (artistic intuition can be so efficient!), Julien synthesizes and distills a series of fraught and ongoing debates around European modernism, African art, colonialism and restitution. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Our bodies are actually able to synthesize D3 when our skin is exposed to direct sunlight. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 After all, many educators and philosophers consider the writing process, which requires synthesizing information, to be a cornerstone of critical thinking – one that people are wary of outsourcing to AI. Ulrich Boser, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Decades ago, humans learned to sequence and synthesize DNA—that is, to read and write it. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 And with the world of snacking constantly evolving, PepsiCo says AI can help synthesize what consumers want at a faster pace, while also solving the best path forward to develop those foods and beverages across the supply chain. John Kell, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 By synthesizing data from the CMB tasting sessions, Winespace generates a comprehensive summary sheet for each wine entry. Jill Barth, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Confucian thinkers often relished encounters with foreign ideas, incorporating or synthesizing them to adapt China to new historical conditions. Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The adhesive synthesized by the fungus, now thought to have a close association with TEP proteins, may have no effect on humans but is a superglue for worms that binds hyphae to their flesh. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'synthesize.' 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

1830, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synthesize was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near synthesize

Cite this Entry

“Synthesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthesize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

synthesize

verb
syn·​the·​size ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce synthesize (audio)
synthesized; synthesizing
: to combine or produce by synthesis

Medical Definition

synthesize

transitive verb
syn·​the·​size
variants also British synthesise
synthesized also British synthesised; synthesizing also British synthesising
: to combine or produce by synthesis
synthesize penicillin
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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