Definition of SYNTHETIC (original) (raw)
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
4
a(1)
: of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis
especially : produced artificially
(2)
: of or relating to a synfuel
b
: devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities
: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
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 
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of synthetic was in 1697
Dictionary Entries Near synthetic
Cite this Entry
“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 10 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences
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