To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
nounDefinition 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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from synthetic
Adjective
synthetically \ sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbSynonyms & Antonyms for synthetic
Synonyms: Adjective
Antonyms: Adjective
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The resolutions or ordinances passed by Santa Cruz, Oakland and Denver don't apply to drugs such as LSD or MDMA, which are synthetic.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN, "Santa Cruz decriminalizes magic mushrooms and other natural psychedelics, making it the third US city to take such a step," 30 Jan. 2020 Traditionally, scientists have found disease treatments by screening hundreds of thousands of small synthetic or natural molecules, going through a long trial-and-error process to see if any of them have therapeutic benefits.
—
Scientific American, "The Power of Spheres," 25 Dec. 2019 At a time when vastly more sounds — acoustic, electric, synthetic, processed — are available than at any time in history, such a narrow palette feels like a musical hunger strike.
—
Jon Pareles, New York Times, "Pop Music in 2019: An Escape From Isolation?," 25 Dec. 2019 Equally important is what they are formulated without: parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and dozens of other red-flag ingredients.
—
Rebecca Dancer, Allure, "Philosophy Is Launching Nature in a Jar, a New Natural Skin-Care Line," 13 Dec. 2019 Caffeine pills can be made of natural or synthetic caffeine.
—
Jenna Wirth, Health.com, "What Are Caffeine Pills—And Are They Safe?," 4 Dec. 2019 This cordless opener works for both natural and synthetic corks.
—
Popular Science, "Just four excellent wine bottle openers," 8 Nov. 2019 Rubber is also considered plastic, both natural (isoprene) and synthetic (styrene butadiene).
—
Los Angeles Times, "The biggest likely source of microplastics in California coastal waters? Our car tires," 2 Oct. 2019 The chemicals may be synthetic or derived from cannabis, hemp, plants, or fruits.
—
BostonGlobe.com, "“The rise in vaping-associated illnesses is a frightening public health phenomenon,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said this week, adding that he was “starting an investigation into some of these companies that produce vaping substances to find out what’s in it.”," 12 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The synthetic opioid, originally developed as an anesthetic for surgery, is the deadliest drug in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
—
Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "This Ohio county may need a second morgue to handle the number of fentanyl overdoses," 13 Feb. 2020 Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that's about 50 times stronger than heroin.
—
Connor Van Ligten, azcentral, "Phoenix police arrest man with 137,000 fentanyl pills, 38 pounds of meth, 9 weapons and thousands of rounds of ammo," 31 Jan. 2020 The Federation has also outlawed synthetics after a group went rogue on Mars and blew up the planet.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Patrick Stewart soars high in stellar 'Star Trek: Picard'," 23 Jan. 2020 Despite its considerable mass, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid's turn-in response remains sharp, although the steering feels a tad synthetic.
—
Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, "2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Is Large and in Charge," 7 Jan. 2020 It’s also key to stick to wool or synthetics for socks and underwear.
—
Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "7 Tips for Packing All the Right Clothing for Your First Backpacking Trip," 24 Oct. 2018 Tanguay suspected the trio could have unwittingly taken fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has ravaged the United States in recent years.
—
Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Synthetic opioids like fentanyl ravaged the US during the last decade. They may do even more damage to Asia in the next," 29 Dec. 2019 When Mount Carmel, one of the largest hospital systems in central Ohio, hired Husel in 2013, hospital doctors were commonly ordering a synthetic opioid known as fentanyl to relieve acute pain.
—
NBC News, "Nurses defend Ohio doctor accused of murdering 25 patients in lawsuit against hospital," 19 Dec. 2019 Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times as potent as heroin.
—
Nadia Kounang, CNN, "There are fewer suicides related to opioids than previously believed, research says," 17 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for synthetic
synthetic
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of synthetic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: made by combining different substances : not natural
synthetic
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of synthetic (Entry 2 of 2)
: something made by combining different artificial substances
See the full definition for synthetic in the English Language Learners Dictionary
synthetic
adjectivesyn·thet·ic | \ sin-ˈthe-tik \
\Kids Definition of synthetic
: produced artificially especially by chemical means : produced by human beings
synthetic diamonds
synthetic
adjectivesyn·thet·ic | \ sin-ˈthet-ik \
\Medical Definition of synthetic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis especially : produced artificially synthetic drugs synthetic dyes
Other Words from synthetic
synthetically \ -i-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbsynthetic
nounMedical Definition of synthetic (Entry 2 of 2)
: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on synthetic
What made you want to look up synthetic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- More Confusing Words—Quiz
How many of these commonly confused words do you know?
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share synthetic
Time Traveler for synthetic
The first known use of synthetic was in 1697
See more words from the same year