Synonyms of artificial

artificial

adjective

ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shᵊl 

1

as in unnatural

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality

their artificial smiles did not make us feel very welcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unnatural
• strained
• mock
• false
• fake
• mechanical
• simulated
• pseudo
• exaggerated
• plastic
• affected
• contrived
• factitious
• phony
• theatrical
• spurious
• forced
• bogus
• assumed
• cute
• feigned
• sham
• hollow
• unreal
• automatic
• put-on
• pretended
• manufactured
• unrealistic
• empty
• formal
• deliberate
• unauthentic
• conventional
• wooden
• stiff
• insincere
• hypocritical
• pat
• canned
• fabricated
• calculated
• conscious
• melodramatic
• hokey
• impersonal
• labored
• unctuous
• rigid
• facile
• stylized
• histrionic
• concocted
• cultivated
• mealy
• mincing
• artful
• inflexible
• overdone
• genteel
• premeditated
• two-faced
• cutesy
• simpering
• studied
• overacted
• left-handed
• mealymouthed
• overrefined
• double-dealing
• goody-goody

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• natural
• real
• genuine
• spontaneous
• unaffected
• realistic
• authentic
• right
• true
• artless
• bona fide
• sincere
• honest
• unforced
• easy
• smooth
• ingenuous
• uncontrived
• unfeigned
• unconscious
• instinctive
• effortless
• impromptu
• extemporaneous
• impulsive
• unpretending
• unstudied
• unrehearsed
• unprompted

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

• fake
• double
• lip
• strained
• superficial
• meaningless
• unnatural
• hollow
• mechanical
• counterfeit
• insincere
• hypocritical
• phony
• pretended
• false
• unctuous
• feigned
• backhanded
• pious
• phony-baloney
• mealy
• affected
• assumed
• jive
• simulated
• double-faced
• contrived
• empty
• dishonest
• forced
• two-faced
• Janus-faced
• mealymouthed
• left-handed
• double-dealing
• Pecksniffian
• deceitful
• sham
• glib
• put-on
• untruthful
• bogus
• facile
• devious
• claptrap
• sanctimonious
• facetious
• jocular
• tongue-in-cheek
• campy
• pharisaical
• simon-pure
• self-righteous
• canting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• genuine
• sincere
• artless
• honest
• heartfelt
• candid
• direct
• unfeigned
• plain
• open
• undesigning
• straightforward
• frank
• forthright
• heart-to-heart

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

• synthetic
• faux
• simulated
• fake
• imitation
• dummy
• false
• imitative
• mock
• manufactured
• ersatz
• mimic
• factitious
• substitute
• bogus
• man-made
• counterfeit
• designer
• pretend
• sham
• process
• deceptive
• cultured
• manipulated
• engineered
• fabricated
• unauthentic
• pseudo
• forged
• misleading
• adulterated
• fraudulent
• concocted
• phony
• doctored
• spurious
• feigned
• fudged
• affected
• juggled
• tampered (with)
• pinchbeck
• brummagem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• natural
• genuine
• true
• legitimate
• authentic
• bona fide
• valuable
• pure
• quality
• premium
• unadulterated

4

as in nonnatural

produced by humans rather than natural processes

I find that artificial sweeteners often have an odd aftertaste

Synonyms & Similar Words

• synthetic
• nonnatural
• man-made
• processed
• manufactured
• mechanical
• industrial
• refined
• imitation
• fabricated
• cultivated
• faux
• ersatz

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• natural
• raw
• crude

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of artificial

Consequently, this creates a bit of artificial inflation for Bardenay in Boise. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 24 Aug. 2026

To find out, the team induced brief artificial hibernation in mice engineered as an epilepsy model, just before seizures had developed in the animals. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

The narrow, 50-mile artificial waterway cuts through the Central American country, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and saving time and fuel along the shorter transit route. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Ranch activities include hurtling through agility courses, swimming beneath a massive artificial waterfall and roaming sprawling fantasy playgrounds built expressly for their entertainment. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026