syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthe-tik 
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
: 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
Adjective
that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
boots of waterproof synthetic leather
Noun
The drug is a synthetic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025
Each press has four phases – rise, peak, fall, and return – and variations in force, duration, and number of presses are sampled to generate synthetic data that mimics real sensor signals.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
In a global world of imitations and synthetics, fast fashion needs to take a seat on the back burner, and the fashion industry needs to return to the spotlight the use of natural materials that have worked from the dawn of time.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for synthetic
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Adjective
Following the war, the Ozark Ordnance Works was converted to production of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers in addition to synthetic chemicals from natural gas.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025
Each press has four phases – rise, peak, fall, and return – and variations in force, duration, and number of presses are sampled to generate synthetic data that mimics real sensor signals.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
Noun
Hurley said wool is mostly blended with cotton to retain denim’s structure and traditional aesthetic, but newer combinations like wool-lyocell, wool-linen/hemp, and wool-synthetic blends are gaining traction.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
In a global world of imitations and synthetics, fast fashion needs to take a seat on the back burner, and the fashion industry needs to return to the spotlight the use of natural materials that have worked from the dawn of time.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for synthetic
Cite this Entry
“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
synthetic
1 of 2 adjective
syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthet-ik
1
: relating to or involving synthesis
2
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical synthesis
especially
: produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic fibers
synthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a product of chemical synthesis
Medical Definition
synthetic
1 of 2 adjective
syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis
especially
: produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic dyes
synthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis
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