synthetic

adjective

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syn·thet·ic | \ sin-ˈthe-tik

Definition of synthetic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic the synthetic aspects of a philosophy

2 : attributing to a subject something determined by observation rather than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting in self-contradiction if negated — compare analytic

3 : characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected forms to express grammatical relationships synthetic languages

4a(1) : of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis especially : produced artificially synthetic drugs synthetic silk

(2) : of or relating to a synfuel

b : devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities

c : factitious, bogus

synthetic

noun

Definition of synthetic (Entry 2 of 2)

: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally especially : a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis

Other Words from synthetic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing synthetic Learn More About synthetic

Synonyms & Antonyms for synthetic

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

natural

Examples of synthetic in a Sentence

Adjective that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers boots of waterproof synthetic leather Noun The drug is a synthetic.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and is often added to heroin to increase its potency, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. — Fox News, 14 May 2022 Drugs contaminated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times stronger than morphine, per the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), may have contributed to the spike in the overdose death rate, Netherland says. — Maggie O'neill, SELF, 13 May 2022 Nearly 108,000 people died of drug overdoses last year, and about two-thirds of those deaths involved fentanyl or another synthetic opioid. — Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 12 May 2022 The language called for legalizing the use of strips that test drugs for fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid fueling a wave of fatal overdoses across Georgia and the U.S. — Andy Miller, ajc, 6 May 2022 The language called for legalizing the use of strips that test drugs for fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid fueling a wave of fatal overdoses across Georgia and the U.S. — Andy Miller, ajc, 6 May 2022 State lawmakers have responded with a list of bills that would include imposing stronger penalties for distributing the synthetic opioid and easing access to safer consumption and treatment. — Hyeyoon Alyssa Choi, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022 Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine. — Paul Best, Fox News, 4 May 2022 State health officials issued an alert this week to families and parents in schools around Alaska warning them of the dangers of fentanyl, the highly potent synthetic opioid that is killing Alaskans at a startling rate. — Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News, 4 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Ghesquière loves these time-traveling mishmashes, but there was a spectacular new tension between the organic and the synthetic here. — Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 May 2022 Brown polarized lenses, crafted from a proprietary synthetic, deliver optics as sharp as ground glass: colors throb, and details jump out. — Mike Steere, Outside Online, 14 May 2015 With backgrounds in the medical-device and automotive industries, respectively, the men knew that neither petroleum nor limestone were necessary to make the rubber for a wetsuit, if one used natural rubber instead of a synthetic. — Gabriela Aoun, Outside Online, 23 July 2021 Most of the forces of modern life tend toward the synthetic, the presentational—virtual feelings and enactments. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022 In place of leather, ACH used Ultraleather, a synthetic that aims to mimic the feel and durability of the original. — J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2021 Besides the seats, the design team used the synthetic on storage areas, partitions and control cuffs. — J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2021 One of the biggest effects could be a larger reality distortion, with users struggling to distinguish the actual from the synthetic. — Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2021 Depending on the car's exterior color, the seating, upholstered in Microtech and another synthetic with a nubuck look, can be offset with Fjord Blue carpeting made from recycled plastic. — Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 27 Oct. 2021 See More

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