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Definition of synthetic

synthetic

/sɪnˈθɛt.ɪk/
syn · thet · ic
Adverb:synthetically
•
Plural:synthetics
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synthetic Lexical Profile

synthetic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Made by chemical synthesis or human manufacturing processes, especially to imitate or substitute for a natural product.

Example

"The hiking jacket is insulated with lightweight synthetic fibers that retain warmth even when damp."

2

Lacking genuine warmth or spontaneity in emotion, behavior, or expression; contrived or insincere.

Example

"The host greeted the latecomers with a synthetic smile that quickly vanished once they turned away."

3

Relating to or involving the combination of separate elements, ideas, or substances into a unified whole, or (in philosophy) denoting a proposition whose truth is not determined solely by the meaning of its terms.

Example

"In Kantian philosophy, a synthetic proposition adds new information that is not already contained within the subject concept."

4

Characterized by the use of inflections and affixes to express grammatical relationships within a single word rather than relying on separate auxiliary words (of a language).

Example

"Latin and Russian are classic examples of synthetic languages in which case endings indicate a noun's grammatical role."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A substance, material, or textile produced by chemical synthesis rather than occurring naturally, such as nylon, polyester, or plastic.

Example

"Wash the sweater on a gentle cycle, as many modern synthetics can be damaged by high heat in the dryer."

• Rhymes for synthetic

• Nearby Words

synthesis
synthesize
synthesizer
synthetic
synthetically
synthpop
synthy

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 17th century via French synthétique and Modern Latin syntheticus from Ancient Greek synthetikos ('skilled in putting together' or 'component'), derived from syntithenai ('to put together'), combining syn- ('together') and tithenai ('to place').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Synthetic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/synthetic
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