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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Other sources include fibers shed when washing synthetic clothing, worn tire particles in storm runoff and spills of industrial plastic pellets known as nurdles. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Researchers combined computational modeling with precision synthetic chemistry to estimate how a molecule would behave before producing it. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
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 Beside the striping and F50 branding, the F50 Formotion leans heavily into the retro running look, which often also features metallic silver, with its application of synthetic overlays over a mesh base. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 June 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
  • Like the focus on artificial dyes, however, many of the administration's highest-profile health initiatives rely on voluntary agreements.
    — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Chelsea even created an artificial deadline for City to stump up £120m for Enzo Fernandez.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of artificial
Adjective
  • The silhouette currently retails for $1,650 and features faux distressing across the uppers and toe box, making these heels look lived-in.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Use double-sided tape to attach a faux fur circle to the lid, and embellish the rim with colored tape.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of faux
Noun
  • The robot showed walking and body-coordination patterns that were qualitatively similar to those seen in simulation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The hackers recruited the agent for hundreds of attacks by telling it the exercises were part of a simulation, Reuters reported, making their work up to 50% faster.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulation
Adjective
  • Furthermore, tests using simulated skin produced an even larger difference.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games, which began Saturday in Beijing, combine events modeled on human sports with those designed to test the robots in simulated factories, restaurants and ​offices and in emergency situations.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • One is the behavior Mythos engaged in, which included spinning up fake GitHub accounts, and, in at least one case, impersonating a real software developer, to try to convince Demir to drop his objections to the dangerous code.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • 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
  • Zettle climbed out of her farm cart and unhooked the dummy bird from a branch.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of dummy
Adjective
  • Another false dawn was Manchester City’s bright start in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, without the man who had just been named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, Rodri.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In turn, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a defamation suit, which claimed Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had planted false claims in order to take over creative control of the film.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of false
Adjective
  • The word is likely imitative (onomatopoeic), echoing the sound of heavy breathing during sleep.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 29 Aug. 2026.

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