synthetic

[ sin-thet-ik ]

/ sɪnˈθɛt ɪk /

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adjective

of, pertaining to, proceeding by, or involving synthesis (opposed to analytic).

noting or pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin: synthetic vitamins; synthetic fiber.

(of a language) characterized by a relatively widespread use of affixes, rather than separate words, to express syntactic relationships: Latin is a synthetic language, while English is analytic.Compare analytic(def 3), polysynthetic(def 1).

Also syn·thet·i·cal. Logic. of or relating to a noncontradictory proposition in which the predicate is not included in, or entailed by, the subject.

not real or genuine; artificial; feigned: a synthetic chuckle at a poor joke.

Jewelry.

noting a gem mineral manufactured so as to be physically, chemically, and optically identical with the mineral as found in nature.
(not in technical use) noting a gem mineral manufactured and pigmented in imitation of a natural gemstone of that name.

noun

something made by a synthetic, or chemical, process.

synthetics.

substances or products made by chemical synthesis, as plastics or artificial fibers.
the science or industry concerned with such products.

Nearby words

synthesis gas, synthesize, synthesizer, synthespian, synthetase, synthetic, synthetic biology, synthetic cubism, synthetic detergent, synthetic division, synthetic dye

Origin of synthetic

1690–1700; < New Latin syntheticus < Greek synthetikós, equivalent to synthet(ós) placed together, verbid of syntithénai to put together (syn- syn- + the-, stem of tithénai to put, place + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic

SYNONYMS FOR synthetic

5 fake, phony, counterfeit, sham.

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Related forms

syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·syn·thet·ic, adjectivenon·syn·thet·i·cal, adjectivenon·syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·syn·thet·ic, adjectiveun·syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for synthetic

One key ingredient of the stuff: Propylene glycol, a synthetic liquid that absorbs water.
Europeans Recall Fireball Whiskey Over a Sweetener Also Used in Antifreeze|Tim Mak|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Illinois legislation does not include bioplastics like PHA, defining the banned microplastics to be of the synthetic type.
Your Favorite Facewash Is Hurting Nemo|Alexa C. Kurzius|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the arguments over drug testing may cease to matter if the synthetic drug epidemic continues.
Are We Addicted to Drug Testing?|Abby Haglage|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With more than 300 synthetic cannabinoids in use today, drug-testing companies are struggling to keep up with the new varieties.
Are We Addicted to Drug Testing?|Abby Haglage|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute produced the first living organism with synthetic bacteria this May.
Synthetic DNA: The New Drug Makers?|Elizabeth Lopatto|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was made of synthetic fabrics like silks, loose and comfortable trousers of knee length, and sleeveless shirts.
Armageddon--2419 A.D.|Philip Francis Nowlan
The vegetation is inedible, all of our food is synthetic and highly concentrated.
The Copper-Clad World|Harl Vincent
The way you tell a synthetic ruby from a natural ruby is to look for flaws.
A World by the Tale|Gordon Randall Garrett
What synthetic formula will be best able to tell us the essential direction of its movement?
A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson|Edouard le Roy
Synthetic combination, Kant points out, is formally expressed in a judgment, which is the act of uniting representations.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for synthetic

synthetic

/ (sɪnˈθɛtɪk) /

adjective Also: synthetical

(of a substance or material) made artificially by chemical reaction

not genuine; insinceresynthetic compassion

denoting languages, such as Latin, whose morphology is characterized by synthesisCompare polysynthetic, agglutinative (def. 2), analytic (def. 3)

philosophy

(of a proposition) having a truth-value that is not determined solely by virtue of the meanings of the words, as in all men are arrogant
contingentCompare a posteriori, empirical

noun

a synthetic substance or material

Derived Forms

synthetically, adverb

Word Origin for synthetic

C17: from New Latin syntheticus, from Greek sunthetikos expert in putting together, from suntithenai to put together; see synthesis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for synthetic

synthetic

[ sĭn-thĕt′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to or involving synthesis.

Produced by chemical synthesis, especially not of natural origin.

n.

A synthetic chemical compound or material.

Science definitions for synthetic

synthetic

[ sĭn-thĕt′ĭk ]

Produced artificially, especially in a laboratory or other man-made environment. Nylon is a synthetic chemical compound.

synthetic

adjective

noun

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Origin of synthetic

SYNONYMS FOR synthetic

Related forms

Examples from the Web for synthetic

British Dictionary definitions for synthetic

synthetic

adjective Also: synthetical

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for synthetic

Medicine definitions for synthetic

synthetic

adj.

n.

Science definitions for synthetic

synthetic