synthesize

American  

[sin-thuh-sahyz] / ˈsɪn θəˌsaɪz /

especially British, synthesise

verb (used with object)

synthesized, synthesizing

1. to form (a material or abstract entity) by combining parts or elements (analyze ).

   to synthesize a statement.

2. Chemistry. to combine (constituent elements) into a single or unified entity.

3. to treat synthetically.

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verb (used without object)

synthesized, synthesizing

1. to make or form a synthesis.

synthesize British  

/ ˈsɪnθɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to combine or cause to combine into a whole

2. (tr) to produce by synthesis

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Other Word Forms

• nonsynthesized adjective
• resynthesize verb (used with object)
• synthesization noun
• unsynthesized adjective

Etymology

Origin of synthesize

First recorded in 1820–30; synthes(is) + -ize

Explanation

When you synthesize, you combine two or more things to create something more complex. It's becoming more common for doctors these days to synthesize Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. While synthesize was first used in 1830, scientists and inventors were doing what it means long before that, mixing stuff together to create new materials and products. Medical researchers chemically synthesize chemicals every day in the lab, hoping to create the next wonder drug. When you write a research paper on a given topic, you must find and synthesize information related to that topic, so you can understand what it means and structure an argument in support of your thesis.

Example Sentences

They synthesize and parrot back the script’s outrageous plot points, serving as a Greek chorus, though being reasonable wouldn’t push Anna toward her destiny.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

If a bot can synthesize everyone’s work into a single voice, then people can avoid the hardest part of teamwork, which isn’t writing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

These directors can synthesize the architecture of cinema but not the underlying humanity that transforms movies into something that resonates.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

The researchers also hope to use the same thermodynamic principles for oxygen control to stabilize other types of materials that are currently difficult to synthesize.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

“Yes, but if we can synthesize anything,” he offered, “why do we still need food synthesis engineers?”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• incorporate