synthesize

verb

syn·​the·​size ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce synthesize (audio)
synthesized; synthesizing

transitive verb

1
: to combine or produce by synthesis
2
: to make a synthesis of
3
: to produce (something, such as music) by an electronic synthesizer

intransitive verb

: to make a synthesis

Did you know?

Synthesize is a very common word in chemistry, since chemists are constantly synthesizing new compounds—that is, synthetic compounds—including drugs and industrial chemicals. It's also often used when talking about writing; nonfiction writers must often synthesize large amounts of material from many sources to produce a book—which represents a synthesis of the important materials. An electronic synthesizercreates new sounds (which may imitate the sounds of acoustic instruments) by generating different basic tones and then manipulating and merging them together with others.

Examples of synthesize in a Sentence

She synthesized the treatment from traditional and modern philosophies of medicine. He synthesized old and new ideas to form his theory. Amino acid is synthesized in the body.
Recent Examples on the Web Animation would’ve also given Coppola more control over a setting meant to synthesize modern New York, ancient Rome and the forests of Pandora. Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 May 2024 But there’s also the indirect costs to reproduction: the energy expended in synthesizing and carrying those offspring, which has previously been largely unquantified. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for synthesize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'synthesize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synthesize was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near synthesize

Cite this Entry

“Synthesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthesize. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

synthesize

verb
syn·​the·​size ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce synthesize (audio)
synthesized; synthesizing
: to combine or produce by synthesis

Medical Definition

synthesize

transitive verb
syn·​the·​size
variants also British synthesise
synthesized also British synthesised; synthesizing also British synthesising
: to combine or produce by synthesis
synthesize penicillin
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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