Definition

Adverb: 1. In a manner involving chemical synthesis; produced artificially rather than naturally: This describes something created by combining separate components or chemical compounds in a laboratory or industrial process. 2. In an artificial, contrived, or not genuinely natural manner: This describes something done in a way that lacks authenticity, spontaneity, or organic origin.

Usage and Examples

• Chemical/Industrial Context:
  • The vitamin is produced synthetically in a factory.
  • This fiber is manufactured synthetically from petroleum products.
• General/Figurative Context:
  • Her smile seemed synthetically bright, not reaching her eyes.
  • The report synthetically combined data from several different studies.

Advanced Usage

• "to think synthetically": To combine separate ideas, concepts, or pieces of information to form a coherent whole. This is often contrasted with "analytically" (breaking things down).
  • The course teaches students to think both analytically and synthetically.

Variants and Related Words

• Synthetic (adjective):
  • Synthetic rubber is more durable than natural rubber in some applications.
  • His apology felt synthetic and insincere.
• Synthesis (noun): The process or result of combining components to form a connected whole.
  • The synthesis of these two theories created a new model.

Synonyms

• Artificially
• Manufactured
• Industrially
• Contrivedly
• Fabricated

Antonyms

• Naturally
• Organically
• Genuinely
• Authentically

Adverb

1. by synthesis; in a synthetic manner
   • some of these drugs have been derived from opium and others have been produced synthetically