1
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
their artificial smiles did not make us feel very welcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of artificial
This reflexive behavior—reorienting themselves in response to the brightest object in their field of vision, natural or artificial—is called the dorsal light response.
—
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
Bradley said the brighter interior lighting, both natural and artificial, reflects the preferences of today’s diners, who like to take pictures of their food and their companions.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026
Its artificial-looking color often distracts from the landscaping.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 21 May 2026
Independent scientists say the technology, while impressive, lacks some components to be truly considered an artificial egg.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
Bradley said the brighter interior lighting, both natural and artificial, reflects the preferences of today’s diners, who like to take pictures of their food and their companions.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026
Its artificial-looking color often distracts from the landscaping.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 21 May 2026
Independent scientists say the technology, while impressive, lacks some components to be truly considered an artificial egg.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artificial
Adjective
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Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
15 May 2026
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As real trees begin to bloom outside, photographer Widline Cadet picks through two playfully oversized bouquets of positively unnatural plastic flowers.—
Elly Fishman,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Off Campus uses the messy lives of these athletes to explore romance tropes like fake-dating plots, enemies-to-lovers twists, secret relationships, and more.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2026
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The Sentinel story published earlier this month featured both Gavi’s and Bastien’s cases as examples of Florida’s inconsistent approach to dealing with nurses who received degrees from roughly two dozen schools that sold fake nursing degrees to more than 7,000 people over the past several years.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Earlier this year, Target was one of the first national retailers to raise the wellness bar by banning all cereals made with synthetic dyes and colors from its shelves.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Target will also carry a Froot Loops Wild Berry cereal made without certified synthetic colors.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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García and Calvo have had a strained relationship since both attempted to run for office in the city, although García eventually withdrew from the race.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
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First, the explosion of remote work during the pandemic strained ties between colleagues who once saw each other in the office every day.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
With two outs already recorded in the inning, Rodón surrendered a double to Carson Benge before issuing walks to Bo Bichette and Juan Soto.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
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Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson took a double minor for high-sticking, and Jason Zucker scored on the power play to get the Sabres back within one going into the first intermission.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Garcia, who wrote and directed the movie, has come up with some crisply clever faux-noir dialogue, and part of the joke is that Joe speaks in his hardboiled pensées while everyone else talks like a normal person.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
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Unlike many faux-jean pants that always look a little off, these still have that classic denim look.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Strangers are matched by experts and move in together after mock wedding ceremonies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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The first mock drafts tend to go up just after the previous year’s real draft ends.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Artificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artificial. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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