syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthe-tik 
1
: relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic
the synthetic aspects of a philosophy
2
: attributing to a subject something determined by observation rather than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting in self-contradiction if negated compare analytic
3
: characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected forms to express grammatical relationships
synthetic languages
4
a(1)
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis
especially
: produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic silk
(2)
: of or relating to a synfuel
b
: devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities
c
: factitious, bogus
: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally
especially
: a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis
Synonyms
Examples of synthetic in a Sentence
Adjective
that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
boots of waterproof synthetic leather
Noun
The drug is a synthetic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
The shell material effectively blocked wind on multiple testing outings, while its light, synthetic insulation kept our hands warm.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Changing Markets noted that Reformation, which has committed to reduce synthetics to less than 1 percent of total sourcing by 2025 is on track to do so, with synthetics currently 2.56 percent.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for synthetic 
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Adjective
With its unique capacity for manipulation of weaknesses in human psychology, an AI could also hijack a rival nation’s media, producing a deluge of synthetic disinformation so alarming as to inspire mass opposition against further progress in that country’s AI capacities.
—Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
The shell material effectively blocked wind on multiple testing outings, while its light, synthetic insulation kept our hands warm.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
In addition, the market is expecting hybrid synthetics soon which enable users to trade a thematic index on their choses exchange or platform that buys, sells and rebalances cryptoassets which are hosted on both non-custodial and custodial solutions.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Changing Markets noted that Reformation, which has committed to reduce synthetics to less than 1 percent of total sourcing by 2025 is on track to do so, with synthetics currently 2.56 percent.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for synthetic
Dictionary Entries Near synthetic
Cite this Entry
“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
synthetic
1 of 2 adjective
syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthet-ik
1
: relating to or involving synthesis
2
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical synthesis
especially
: produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic fibers
synthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a product of chemical synthesis
Medical Definition
synthetic
1 of 2 adjective
syn·thet·ic
sin-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis
especially
: produced artificially
synthetic drugs
synthetic dyes
synthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis
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