artificial

adjective

ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shᵊl How to pronounce artificial (audio)
Definition of artificialnext
1
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality their artificial smiles did not make us feel very welcome

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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

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3
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials artificial fruit made from wax

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4
as in nonnatural
produced by humans rather than natural processes I find that artificial sweeteners often have an odd aftertaste

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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 In the Prime Video limited series, set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049, the simmering conflict between the artificial beings, known as Replicants, and humans has erupted into outright war, and humans lost. — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026 Its aggressively artificial imagery evokes the kind of AI-slop, dreamcore videos that tend to populate social media these days, thrusting the audience into increasingly unsettling spaces that seem generated from a stranger’s hazy childhood. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 David’s Davidness—always eating a bowl of cereal before bed, hoarding Wagon Wheels, calling his artificial sweeteners ‘depth charges,’ laughing with a half-private chuckle at his own bad jokes—comes off the page in sparks. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Whether artificial noise was used at Allegiant Stadium has not been determined, but there was another strong contingent of Chiefs supporters at the game. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for artificial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artificial
  1. unnatural
  2. fake
  3. synthetic
  4. strained
  5. double
  6. faux
  7. mock
  8. lip
Adjective
  • That amounts to unchecked growth resulting in relatively dense stands, which are unnatural for this part of the country — despite becoming a familiar sight to Coloradans over the last few decades.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • The fake blooms lined the sweeping curves that curled across the arena floor.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chastain goes for broke with melodrama as both the real and fake Mommies.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Feathers, synthetic hair and translucent organza were worked into exaggerated silhouettes, alongside insect-like décolletés, feline pantaboots, moss-green leather and cheetah-print effects.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The exterior of the sculpture is adorned with synthetic braids, a fundamental material with Peacock, for whom braiding is a metaphor for relation, an embrace, irreducible intimacy.
    — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of synthetic
Adjective
  • Raman’s tendency to rethink her policy decisions has also contributed to her strained relations with her council colleagues, nearly all of whom are backing the mayor’s reelection bid.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • French bond woes Yields on French government bonds have surged to multiyear highs in recent days, as the country's mounting debt crisis fuels wider concerns about Europe's strained public finances.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • Travel and tech accessories include a multi zip case, passport sleeve, double zip wash bag, small laptop case, large flat card holder, key ring with leather strap, and sunglasses case.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Sal Frelick robbed Freddie Freeman of a double with a nice running catch in the right center field gap, but an error on a pickoff attempt at first base brought Edman in to score.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • Experts called plumassiers, or feather specialists, would often collaborate with fashion houses and incorporate feathers, both faux and real, into designs for couture and ready-to-wear collections.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The ground floor features an 18-seat bar with a rum wall backsplash, carved Moai heads and high-tops that spill out to a lush faux-grass courtyard framed in palm trees and tiki-totem pillars.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • Carson and Guillermo stepped onto the dance floor with sunglasses and A-list celebrity swagger as flashes from mock photographers filled the introduction.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In another thread, Strong’s Zuckerberg twitches with irritation through mock congressional hearings, with a PR team headed by crisis management specialist Raya (Wunmi Mosaku), whose task is to make the Facebook CEO likable.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lip

Browse Nearby Words

artifices
artificial
artificiality
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Cite this Entry

“Artificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artificial. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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