synthetic 1 of 2

adjective

sin-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce synthetic (audio)
Definition of syntheticnext
1
as in artificial
produced by humans rather than natural processes that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials synthetic fur collars boots of waterproof synthetic leather

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

synthetic

2 of 2

noun

as in simulation

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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 synthetic
Adjective
Jäger compares the sounds of techno to the noise of Detroit’s industrial machinery—the music that drove the ersatz utopias of the late twentieth century is, in other words, merely a synthetic echo of a far more vital past. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Without a constant flow of fresh human insight, synthetic models risk becoming increasingly sophisticated at reproducing what is already known. — Abigail Stuart, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
Ippolito’s tip is to go with high quality synthetic fibers and wool-synthetic fiber blends. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026 For example, changing out your metal dining set for one that’s constructed out of wood, synthetic, or natural wicker will feel way more comfy. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for synthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for synthetic
  1. artificial
  2. faux
  3. simulation
  4. simulated
  5. fake
  6. dummy
  7. false
  8. imitative
Adjective
  • All of those companies have been massive winners for investors this year, with HPE and AMD more than doubling in value and Intel almost tripling, as the artificial infrastructure buildout expands to companies beyond Nvidia.
    — Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
  • These could be something as natural as gravity pulling the fluid downwards, or an artificial intervention like a propeller.
    — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of artificial
Adjective
  • Throughout, the reader is bludgeoned with reminders of the war’s significance, and in the service of this aim Harding also offers a curious mixture of political awareness and faux naïveté.
    — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Think raised geometric shapes, faux brick panels, wood-look slats or stone wall panels.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of faux
Noun
  • Nvidia has paired it with simulation, closed-loop reinforcement learning and data-generation tools intended to accelerate development and validation.
    — John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The process combines hardware, software, AI training, simulation, and data collection into a hands-on humanoid development cycle.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of simulation
Adjective
  • This involved competing in simulated games of capture the flag held inside complex, three-dimensional virtual worlds.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Her massive concrete site-work, which takes up the entirety of the Geffen Galleries plaza, is peppered with fragmentary representations of the Mesoamerican deity Quetzalcoatl and the simulated footprints of Californian fauna.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • Once roles are introduced to the game, the players make a comedy meal out of loudly fake narrating what Sam is doing while they’re blindfolded.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Those who speak a password, released via social media, receive a fake business card, which does mean many a guest is standing there shouting a password at the actor.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • After much planning and coordination, a locomotive and burning trestle bridge collapsed on cue, complete with a dummy engineer in the driving cabin.
    — Brian Bull, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Even when a trial is available, a person may not meet its requirements, or they may be randomly assigned to receive a placebo (dummy drug).
    — Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dummy
Adjective
  • However, data show that when AI is highly capable, doctors add more errors and false corrections than beneficial insights.
    — Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The company accused Fox News of airing false claims that voting machines were manipulated to help Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of false
Adjective
  • Using techniques like input-dependent computation and gating, the liquid AI design gives us substantially greater power to access the human-like cognition, albeit imitative, of the machines.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention.
    — Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of imitative

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synthesizing
synthetic
synthetics
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Cite this Entry

“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/synthetic. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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