1
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
their artificial smiles did not make us feel very welcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the familiar sight of the award winner accepting the artificial congratulations of the other nominees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
artificial fruit made from wax
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in nonnatural
produced by humans rather than natural processes
I find that artificial sweeteners often have an odd aftertaste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of artificial
The strawberry drizzle is great and doesn't have that weird artificial taste.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
The company worried that an artificial snowstorm could cause accidents on the roads and that GE would be held responsible.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Arca and Lotic, two other artists known for gleefully Frankensteining the organic and the artificial, cast long shadows in the doorway.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Demis Hassabis, the founder of DeepMind, has said artificial general intelligence could be with us in as little as five years.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
The company worried that an artificial snowstorm could cause accidents on the roads and that GE would be held responsible.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Arca and Lotic, two other artists known for gleefully Frankensteining the organic and the artificial, cast long shadows in the doorway.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Demis Hassabis, the founder of DeepMind, has said artificial general intelligence could be with us in as little as five years.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artificial
Adjective
-
The biggest factor separating natural from unnatural results is judgment, knowing how much is enough and when to stop.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some swim-current systems can create uneven or turbulent flow, which can make swimming feel unnatural.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If filmmakers can prompt fake actors to deliver precise performances, where does that leave human actors?—
Holly Willis,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 18-minute fake pitch meeting!—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Baker’s Indigenous and German heritage inform her three large abstract collage hangings, created using synthetic turf animated by acrylic paint, yarn and a variety of natural materials, including corn husk, willow, buffalo hide and buckskin.—
Grant Klarich Johnson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The frame is made from rustproof aluminum, and the chair’s rattan is hand-woven from synthetic material that looks and feels like wicker.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When Sony ultimately gets its way, Anderson and DiCaprio’s once-close relationship is noticeably strained on set.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those claims at a White House meeting last year that underlined the strained relationship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
D'Orazio followed with a two-run, ground-rule double.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Batting in the leadoff spot, Boston’s top shortstop prospect, Franklin Arias, got the scoring started in the bottom of the third with a go-ahead two-run double off the wall.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This Free People faux suede blazer is an elegant piece that looks just as great with a pair of jeans and a turtleneck as a dress out to dinner.—
Nneya Richards,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The faux ring is reminiscent of a manicure recently sported by Kourtney Kardashian, suggesting this exquisite accent could be on the verge of having a moment.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The video was a standout moment alongside the romantic ballad, though, as Bruno picked up the guitar and delivered on the Latin love story with a mock wedding — and pulled on the heartstrings with a relationship that just about everyone would sign up to grow old for.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Wildcats feature potential first-round picks in freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, with Motiejus Krivas mentioned in some mock drafts.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Nov. 2025
-
The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artificial. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
