synthetic

1 of 2

adjective

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

synthetically

sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

synthetic

2 of 2

noun

: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally

especially : a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis

Synonyms

Adjective

• artificial
• man-made
• nonnatural

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

Adjective

While oxycodone and other addictive prescription painkillers kicked off the opioid epidemic in the U.S, synthetic drugs such as fentanyl have become the drug responsible for the most overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

So the value of synthetic data, in a lot of these use cases, may be limited. —John Werner, Forbes, 4 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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek synthetikos of composition, component, from syntithenai to put together

First Known Use

Adjective

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing synthetic

• synthetic division
• synthetic geometry
• synthetic resin

Kids 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

synthetically

-ˈthet-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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

synthetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

synthetic

2 of 2 noun

: a product (as a drug) of chemical synthesis