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
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
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
In a proactive move, Canada began cracking down on fentanyl and synthetic opioids well before Trump imposed tariffs this year.
—Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), along with Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), unveiled a bipartisan bill late last month that would reclassify the potent synthetic opioid — now a Schedule 2 drug — which has been used for pain management.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for synthetic
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.
Adjective
Undoubtedly, bad actors will seek to exploit these AI agents to create synthetic buyer identities, manipulate transactions and automate fraudulent purchases at scale.
—Noun
That synthetic opioid has ravaged communities, torn apart families and claimed the lives of more than 84,000 Americans in a single one-year period.
—Cite this Entry
“Synthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share