synthetic

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

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

Also called nonnutritive sweeteners, these can be synthetic, such as saccharin and aspartame, or naturally derived, such as stevia.

— eunice zhang, Washington Post, "Diet drinks may seem like a good idea, but their effects may surprise you," 3 June 2018
Deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—a drug up to 50 times stronger than heroin—rose 12% between May and October last year, to 26,760.

— The Economist, "Some good news from the fight against opioids," 31 May 2018
Major league balls have rubber pills at the center, wound over by three layers of yarn that is 85 percent wool and 15 percent synthetic, and then a thin layer of cotton.

— ronald blum, Houston Chronicle, "MLB panel says baseballs getting extra lift, cause unknown," 24 May 2018
Major league balls have rubber pills at the center, wound over by three layers of yarn that is 85 percent wool and 15 percent synthetic, and then a thin layer of cotton.

— ronald blum, chicagotribune.com, "MLB panel says baseballs are getting an extra lift, but the cause is unknown," 24 May 2018
While much of the public attention is focused on the abuse of prescription drugs such as OxyContin and Vicodin, this class of drugs also includes heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

— kelli ward, Fortune, "I’m Running for Senate in Arizona. Here’s Why We Need a Border Wall.," 22 May 2018
The percentage of fatal overdoses that involved synthetic opioids jumped from 14 percent in 2010 to 46 percent in 2016.

— NBC News, "Fentanyl figures in most fatal drug overdoses in U.S., researchers say," 1 May 2018
However, the state is seeing a significant increase in deaths due to synthetic opioids.

— molly harbarger, OregonLive.com, "Jackson County sees startling spike in opioid overdose deaths," 26 Apr. 2018
Big metropolitan areas recorded the biggest year-over-year increase in deaths involving prescription and synthetic opioids and heroin in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— anna edney, Anchorage Daily News, "Research on deadly illegal opioid blocked by federal stalemate," 20 Apr. 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

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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

Two officers inadvertantly inhaled the substance, which is believed to be fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.

— elliot hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee man charged after Greendale officers treated for exposure to harmful substances," 30 May 2018
John Bolduc announced Thursday the massive amount of suspected opioids tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

— Washington Post, "The Health 202: Conservative activists aren't giving up their Obamacare repeal dream," 29 May 2018
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid over 30 times more potent than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

— joel shannon, USA TODAY, "Near a Nebraska town, cops seize enough opioids to kill over 26 million," 26 May 2018
The suit, filed Thursday in state district court, follows the commissioners’ decision in October to pursue litigation against a long list of companies, including Purdue Pharma, the maker of the synthetic opioid OxyContin.

— jasper scherer, San Antonio Express-News, "Bexar County files lawsuit against opioid companies, including Purdue Pharma," 16 May 2018
Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid and pain medication, was found in the autopsy report for Jamie Coleman Dodd, the lead pilot in the January crash in northeastern New Mexico.

— CBS News, "Pilot in crash that killed Zimbabwean opposition leader had fentanyl in system, autopsy says," 11 May 2018
Added water, preservatives, and synthetics not included.

— ivana rihter, Vogue, "5 New, Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands, Just in Time for Earth Day," 21 Apr. 2018
Attractive sheets available in percale and sateen made up of 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton and linen made from pure European flax without the use of chemicals or synthetics.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "Trend Alert: The Most High-Tech Comforters And Sheets To Keep You Cool, Chic, And Comfy," 16 Feb. 2018
This has been a particulate scourge in Ohio, where what began as a crisis with prescription pain pill addiction led to a spike in heroin use and to the more powerful fentanyl and similar synthetics.

— stephen koff, cleveland.com, "Trump signs bill to provide fentanyl screening equipment at borders, ports, postal facilities," 10 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of synthetic

1916

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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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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synthetic

Definition of synthetic

synthetically

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Origin and Etymology of synthetic

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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