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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than six kilograms of methamphetamine pills, about 600 grams of metonitazene pills and about 300 grams of pills containing a synthetic amphetamine, officials said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026 This same source suggests robots enjoying a 90% success rate in synthetic environments may only achieve a 30-60% performance rate in the real world. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Noun
Lab tests showed that the plants without the active inceptin receptor failed to emit this volatile blend when exposed to either the synthetic In11 peptide or actual caterpillar oral secretions. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026 These days, many engines require a synthetic or at least partially synthetic (blended) motor oil. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 15 May 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
  • Controversial space mirror satellite Not everyone is looking forward to artificial daylight.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
  • Players had the run of the place on real grass, not the artificial turf in place for NFL games.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of artificial
Adjective
  • In others, background actors adjust their chain mail and faux furs and clutch prop weapons, some of which are designed to explode and splatter blood on impact.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Outdated trends like faux barnwood and glossy finishes are being replaced by authentic, low-maintenance materials.
    — Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
Definition of faux
Noun
  • Computer simulations further demonstrated that the decentralized coordination framework can scale to swarms of at least 64 robots.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Partnering with iRacing — the gold standard in racing simulation — ensures this will be a truly special new chapter in our gaming history.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of simulation
Adjective
  • After receiving the drone’s information, the fighter successfully completed a simulated engagement against the radar site.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • Blake Snell — who also had loose bodies removed from his pitching elbow, undergoing a NanoNeedle Scope procedure on May 19 — threw two simulated innings to batters Saturday.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • Ify’s box contains a fake $100 bill, but Catherine decides to keep her box.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Judges around the country have seen a rise in threats of violence and intimidation, including a fake swatting call to police about Barrett’s home in May.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Decoy launchers, false positions, and dummy equipment can force an attacker to spend surveillance resources or weapons on targets that have little military value.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
  • Five of six different brain tests showed diranersen recipients’ memory and other cognitive abilities still worsened but more slowly than those given dummy shots, Mummery said.
    — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of dummy
Adjective
  • Judge Ranjan identified several problems with MET’s claims, including MET’s allegation that UA engaged in false advertising by portraying Celliant as having the FDA’s blessing.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
  • Coney Barrett shared her experience bringing home a bulletproof vest and having her house swatted, or subject to false police reports.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 15 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/synthetic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on synthetic

Nglish: Translation of synthetic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All