synthetic
word
Definition
Made by chemical processes rather than occurring naturally; artificial or man-made. Can also describe something that is not genuine or feels fake.
Usage & Nuances
Common collocations: "synthetic fiber/fabric" (nylon, polyester), "synthetic data" (AI-generated), "synthetic biology". When describing emotions or behavior, it means insincere: "Her smile looked synthetic." Opposite of "natural" or "organic".
Example Sentences
This jacket is made of synthetic material.
basic
Synthetic fibers like nylon are cheaper than natural ones.
basic
I prefer natural fabrics — synthetic ones make me sweat more.
natural
The company uses synthetic data to train its AI models without privacy concerns.
natural
Her enthusiasm felt completely synthetic — I could tell she wasn't really interested.
natural
Scientists created a synthetic version of the hormone.
basic