synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

b

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

c

: the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole

also : the complex so formed

2

a

: deductive reasoning

b

philosophy : the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth

3

linguistics : the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as a characteristic device of a language

Traditionally, the history of English grammar has been described in terms of the shift from synthesis to analysis, i.e. from a language which expresses the relationship between words by means of inflectional endings joined to lexical stems to one which maps such relationships by means of function words such as prepositions.

—Laurel Brinton and Alexander Bergs

compare analysis

synthesist

ˈsin(t)-thə-sist 

noun

Synonyms of synthesis

• mixture
• amalgamation
• blend
• mix
• amalgam
• alloy
• combination
• fusion

Examples of synthesis in a Sentence

a philosophy that is a kind of synthesis of several schools of Western and Eastern thought

Recent Examples on the Web

The new system takes the concept in a different direction by combining hydrogen production with chemical synthesis. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

Every task that involves pattern recognition, language processing or data synthesis is now subject to the same deflationary pressure that Chinese manufacturing brought to physical goods two decades ago. — Jared Franz, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Around the same time that Huxley unveiled the modern synthesis, Waddington presented a novel picture of how this might unfold. — Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

The unitary synthesis problem was first posed by researchers Scott Aaronson and Greg Kuperberg in 2006. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek, from syntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to put, place — more at do entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing synthesis

• synthesis gas

Rhymes for synthesis

• synthesise
• biosynthesis
• photosynthesis
• nucleosynthesis

Kids Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -thə-ˌsēz 

1

: the combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

especially : the production of a substance by union of chemically simpler substances

2

a

: the combining of often very different ideas into an ordered whole

b

: the product so formed

Medical Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -ˌsēz 

1

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

2

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

protein synthesis