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
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 synfuelb : devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realitiesc : factitious, bogus
From the M-W Editors
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
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Dominion had initially proposed leaving the ash in place but covering it with a waterproof, synthetic layer, plus two additional feet of soil and vegetation.
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Wig Shop Tucked between prop houses and an acting studio on a side street in North Hollywood is Wilshire Wigs, a half-century- old shop trading in tens of thousands of synthetic and natural coiffures.
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Opioid is a broad term that refers to drugs derived from opium and, more often, synthetic drugs that have similar effects.
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Mississippi Power has been trying to achieve sustained operation of two gasifiers that convert soft lignite coal to a synthetic gas.
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Yi was apparently drawn to ants for their matriarchal societal structures, and the efficacy of their labor; the work as a whole suggests an intricate technological system, made up of both organic and synthetic parts.
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Ewing: The synthetic-controls approach is what differentiated your study from the 2004 NRC study, is that right?
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But the plaintiffs note that the FSIS found synthetic hormone, melengesterol acetate, in its residue testing.
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Use of both has risen sharply in Miami-Dade, and dozens of cases in South Florida in the last few years have involved heroin cut with its synthetic cousin to up its potency — and its risk of causing an overdose.
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
Other Logic Terms
synthetic
Definition of synthetic
: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally; especially : a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis
Examples of synthetic in a Sentence
The drug is a synthetic.
Recent Examples of synthetic from the Web
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Inside is a jangling theme park of high-tech comfort and moisture-wicking synthetics.
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Heroin and opiate prescription painkillers have long been driving Kentucky overdose deaths, but in 2016 fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was the leading cause, the report said.
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Fentanyl is a synthetic and much more potent version of heroin, so strong that just a few grains can kill an adult.
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The state, already struggling with overdoses from heroin and prescription opioids, has seen the spread of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which can be mixed with heroin or cocaine and is extraordinarily powerful.
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Among the dead are two 13-year-olds, Grant Seaver and Ryan Ainsworth, who died last fall in the wealthy resort town of Park City, Utah, after taking a synthetic opioid known as U-47700, or Pinky.
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Harris said that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
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During drug raids, police dogs literally follow their noses to sniff out narcotics, but now the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl could be deadly to the K-9s.
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Carfentanil, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, another synthetic opioid.
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.
First Known Use of synthetic
1916
SYNTHETIC Defined for English Language Learners
synthetic
playDefinition of synthetic for English Language Learners
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: made by combining different substances : not natural
synthetic
Definition of synthetic for English Language Learners
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: something made by combining different artificial substances
SYNTHETIC Defined for Kids
synthetic
playDefinition of synthetic for Students
: produced artificially especially by chemical means : produced by human beings synthetic diamonds
Medical Dictionary
synthetic
Medical Definition of synthetic
: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis
Learn More about synthetic
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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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