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
Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Now, though, prices of synthetic diamonds have plummeted 90 percent at wholesale, according to a statement from the brand, marking a stark divergence from the price of traditional gems.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 May 2025
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
With the world suddenly awash in synthetics, people had access to a huge variety of low-cost goods—and this brought thousands of new chemicals into American homes.
—Mariah Blake, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for synthetic
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Adjective
In announcing the replacements on Friday, the FDA said multiple food companies had already promised to remove the synthetic chemicals, making the 2026 target more likely.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Now, though, prices of synthetic diamonds have plummeted 90 percent at wholesale, according to a statement from the brand, marking a stark divergence from the price of traditional gems.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 May 2025
Noun
Trump cited unfair trade practices as his reason for implementing the levies, and accused Beijing of failing to curb the export of chemicals used to produce fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
With the world suddenly awash in synthetics, people had access to a huge variety of low-cost goods—and this brought thousands of new chemicals into American homes.
—Mariah Blake, The Atlantic, 5 May 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 20 May. 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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