synthetic

adjective syn·thet·ic \ sin-ˈthe-tik \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of synthetic

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

4 a (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

—

synthetically

play \sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See synthetic defined for English-language learners

See synthetic defined for kids

Examples of synthetic in a Sentence

that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
boots of waterproof synthetic leather

Recent Examples of synthetic from the Web

Illinois health authorities are warning against a synthetic marijuana that’s left at least three people dead and over 100 others bleeding from the eyes, ears, gums and nose.

— alexandria hein, Fox News, "Authorities eye rat poison as fake pot kills 3, leaves others bleeding from eyes, ears," 11 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, the number of overdose deaths attributed to heroin and illicit synthetic opioids like fentanyl have increased nationally, according to a research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Drug Prevention.

— molly harbarger, OregonLive.com, "Portland VA study says that patients have same long-term pain with or without opioids," 11 Apr. 2018
Three people are facing federal charges for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana to undercover officers at a mini-mart in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago.

— CBS News, "3 deaths tied to excessive bleeding from synthetic marijuana, possibly tainted with rat poison," 10 Apr. 2018
The officer reportedly found several small blunts filled with synthetic marijuana, a marijuana grinder and a pipe during a vehicle search.

— jennifer james, Houston Chronicle, "Friendswood police: 6-year-old hit-and-run victim making progress," 9 Apr. 2018
In Chicago, a city ordinance banning synthetic marijuana has been in place since 2011.

— elvia malagon, chicagotribune.com, "Bleeding from synthetic pot outbreak unusual, experts say," 6 Apr. 2018
Interviews with 63 of the Illinois patients revealed that all had used synthetic cannabinoids.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Life-threatening bleeding linked to synthetic cannabinoids, CDC warns," 6 Apr. 2018
The cases involve synthetic marijuana containing brodifacoum, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

— detroit free press staff, Detroit Free Press, "Rat-poisoned fake pot is causing uncontrollable bleeding, death," 5 Apr. 2018
The use synthetic cannabinoids became popular a decade ago, and one of the largest outbreaks occurred three years ago.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Severe bleeding caused by fake pot triggers health alert in Illinois," 30 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of synthetic

Greek synthetikos of composition, component, from syntithenai to put together

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1697

See Words from the same year

synthetic Synonyms

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

synthetic

noun

Definition of synthetic

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

See synthetic defined for English-language learners

Examples of synthetic in a Sentence

The drug is a synthetic.

Recent Examples of synthetic from the Web

Of particular concern was Carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that's 5,000 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more potent than its derivative, fentanyl, which is lethal on its own and accounts for a surge in fatal overdoses nationwide.

— cristina corbin, Fox News, "Run-ins with Carfentanil: The opioid 5,000 times more potent than heroin," 11 Apr. 2018
The company is now in the process of studying a nasal spray of nalmefene as a potential reversal agent to revive synthetic opioid overdose victims.

— max blau, STAT, "The next naloxone? Companies, academics search for better overdose-reversal drugs," 10 Apr. 2018
As in Philadelphia, fentanyl — a synthetic opioid far more powerful than heroin– has made its way into Vancouver’s drug supply, sometimes without the user’s even knowing it has been added.

— aubrey whelan, Philly.com, "A Vancouver cop tells Philadelphia why he changed his mind on safe injection sites," 3 Apr. 2018
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, like heroin, that can be prescribed legally by physicians.

— mark lieber, CNN, "Marijuana legalization could help offset opioid epidemic, studies find," 2 Apr. 2018
Jackets have become surprisingly high-tech, using everything from hydrophobic polyester to next-gen synthetic down—but few jackets weave in actual tech used to fight the elements on other planets.

— tim newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "How NASA Tech Helps This Jacket Battle the Elements," 16 Mar. 2018
Her successful jump became a turning point in the manufacture of parachutes for the WWII wartime effort, moving the industry from silk to synthetics.

— annie gentile, Courant Community, "Historical Society Remembers Jump Into Fame," 15 Mar. 2018
Drug dealers often cut heroin with the less expensive fentanyl, and unaware users risk overdose due to the potentially lethal potency of the synthetic opioid, said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

— dennis thompson, chicagotribune.com, "'It's getting exponentially worse': Fentanyl behind latest spike in opioid overdose deaths," 29 Mar. 2018
Lab tests showed that the substance was a synthetic opioid.

— eric heisig, cleveland.com, "Euclid man mailed fentanyl, other drugs he received from China to U.S.-based purchasers, feds say," 28 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of synthetic

1916

SYNTHETIC Defined for English Language Learners

synthetic

adjective

Definition of synthetic for English Language Learners

: made by combining different substances : not natural

synthetic

noun

Definition of synthetic for English Language Learners

: something made by combining different artificial substances

SYNTHETIC Defined for Kids

synthetic

adjective syn·thet·ic \ sin-ˈthe-tik \

Definition of synthetic for Students

: produced artificially especially by chemical means : produced by human beings

synthetic diamonds

Medical Dictionary

synthetic

adjective syn·thet·ic \ sin-ˈthet-ik \

medical Definition of synthetic

: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis; especially : produced artificially

synthetic drugs

synthetic dyes

—

synthetically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

synthetic

noun

medical Definition of synthetic

: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis

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See words that rhyme with synthetic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for synthetic Spanish Central: Translation of synthetic Nglish: Translation of synthetic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of synthetic for Arabic speakers

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synthetic

Definition of synthetic

synthetically

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synthetic Synonyms

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synthetic

Definition of synthetic

Examples of synthetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of synthetic from the Web

First Known Use of synthetic

SYNTHETIC Defined for English Language Learners

synthetic

Definition of synthetic for English Language Learners

synthetic

Definition of synthetic for English Language Learners

SYNTHETIC Defined for Kids

synthetic

Definition of synthetic for Students

Medical Dictionary

synthetic

medical Definition of synthetic

synthetically

synthetic

medical Definition of synthetic

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