synthetic

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

|Updated on: 4 Aug 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

Peter Glazer, a therapeutic radiologist, developed the technique of combining DNA and the synthetic material, PNA, to repair gene mutations.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Gene Editing Shows Promise In Yale Study," 29 June 2018
A century ago, developers didn't have the synthetic materials that most modern buildings are made of or the cranes that put those materials in place.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "Why are Downtown Boise buildings so boring?," 20 June 2018
Nylon, the synthetic material invented by DuPont for women's stockings, was used to make parachutes, glider tow ropes, aircraft fuel tanks and flak jackets, according to Smithsonian magazine.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "D-Day: How New Orleans technology helped win the battle and World War II," 6 June 2018
Nylon, the synthetic material invented by DuPont for women’s stockings, was used to make parachutes, glider tow ropes, aircraft fuel tanks and flak jackets, according to Smithsonian magazine.

— michael s. rosenwald, Washington Post, "D-Day: How American and British technology helped win the battle and World War II," 6 June 2018
When around a fire, be mindful of your clothing, as synthetic materials can melt.

— lindsay kimble, PEOPLE.com, "Summer Has Arrived — Here's How to Avoid Flesh-Eating Bacteria & More Warm Weather Health Hazards," 5 June 2018
The synthetic material is flash spun high-density polyethylene fibers.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chances are, the wristband you got at that concert or festival was made by Artemax in New Berlin," 5 June 2018
Bonus: even though the Momentum is made from synthetic materials, Myles built it to feel more like buttery cotton.

— jakob schiller, Outside Online, "Six Good Old T-Shirt's, Just in Time for Summer," 22 May 2018
Some scientists are attempting to alter the collective behavior of electrons to create what is known as quantum synthetic materials.

— neil savage, Scientific American, "What Are the Limits of Manipulating Nature?," 8 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms for heroin and other opioids.

— michael botticelli, STAT, "It’s time for methadone to be prescribed as part of primary care," 5 July 2018
Overdose deaths in the state jumped 31 percent from 2012 to 2016, according to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, with the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl tied to nearly half of the 1,404 deaths in 2016.

— matthew glowicki, The Courier-Journal, "Do those real-life addiction stories really keep kids off drugs?," 12 July 2018
Nevada had planned to use three drugs to execute Scott Dozier, who has been on death row since 2007: one as a sedative, one to paralyze him, and the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to help kill him.

— richard a. oppel jr., BostonGlobe.com, "Nevada execution is blocked after drug maker sues," 12 July 2018
Nevada’s first-of-its-kind execution protocol also calls for the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to slow Dozier’s breathing and the muscle paralytic cisatracurium to prevent movement and stop his breathing.

— ken ritter, USA TODAY, "Nevada execution in doubt after pharmaceutical company lawsuit," 11 July 2018
Nevada's first-of-its-kind execution protocol also calls for the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to slow Dozier's breathing and the muscle paralytic cisatracurium to prevent movement and stop his breathing.

— NBC News, "Nevada execution in doubt after drug company sues to stop it," 11 July 2018
Nevada’s first-of-its-kind execution protocol also calls for the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to slow Dozier’s breathing and the muscle paralytic cisatracurium to prevent movement and stop his breathing.

— ken ritter, Time, "A Drug Company Is Suing to Stop Its Drug From Being Used in a Nevada Execution," 11 July 2018
The midazolam is expected to render Dozier unconscious before he is injected with the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has been blamed for overdoses nationwide but has not been used in an execution.

— ken ritter, The Seattle Times, "Drug company’s lawsuit could derail Nevada execution," 10 July 2018
Police seized two guns; about 150 grams, or 5.3 ounces, of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid; about 20 grams, or 0.7 of an ounce, of crack cocaine, and other narcotics, said Thomas Carson of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Police: Two More Wanted Felons Nabbed In Hartford, Enfield, After Gang Roundup," 6 July 2018