synthesis
SIHN-thuh-sihs
Synthesis (noun) means the forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas. Example: “Her new theory is a synthesis of ideas from biology and economics.”
noun
1
The forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas.
"Her new theory is a synthesis of ideas from biology and economics."
"The essay was a synthesis of several conflicting theories."
"Good jazz often works as a synthesis of different musical traditions."
2
In chemistry, the process of building a more complex compound from simpler elements or substances.
"The synthesis of the new medicine took the students several weeks of careful work."
"In the experiment, the synthesis of water from hydrogen and oxygen released a lot of heat."
"The lab specializes in the synthesis of new pharmaceutical compounds."
3
In electronic music, the creation of a sound by combining simpler waveforms.
"He learned how sound synthesis can turn a simple sine wave into a rich tone."
"The keyboard offers both subtractive synthesis and a range of ready-made patches."
"The album leans heavily on analog synthesis for its warm textures."
How to use synthesis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCombining separate pieces — ideas, chemicals, or sounds — into one unified whole.
Common pairings
chemical synthesis
protein synthesis
sound synthesis
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Word forms
- Plural
- syntheses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her new theory is a _____ of ideas from biology and economics.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek sunthesis, "a putting together," from syntithemi, "to combine" (syn-, "together," plus tithemi, "to set, place").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for synthesis
thesis
nemesis
genesis
exegesis
diaeresis
anamnesis
apheresis
antithesis
epenthesis
hypothesis
prosthesis
abiogenesis
See all rhymes for synthesis →
Frequently asked questions
What does “synthesis” mean?
The word “synthesis” means the forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas. In plain terms, combining separate pieces — ideas, chemicals, or sounds — into one unified whole.
How do you pronounce “synthesis”?
“Synthesis” is pronounced SIHN-thuh-sihs (/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “synthesis” in a sentence?
Here is “synthesis” used in a sentence: “The essay was a synthesis of several conflicting theories.”
What is the opposite of “synthesis”?
The opposite of “synthesis” — its antonyms — is analysis.
What part of speech is “synthesis”?
“Synthesis” is a noun.
Where does the word “synthesis” come from?
The word “synthesis” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek sunthesis, "a putting together," from syntithemi, "to combine" (syn-, "together," plus tithemi, "to set, place").
Is “synthesis” a common word?
“Synthesis” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “synthesis” have?
“Synthesis” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas.
What is the difference between synthesis and analysis?
Synthesis is the forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas, while analysis is the opposite process of breaking something down into its component parts to understand it. The two are often described as complementary stages of reasoning or research.
What does synthesis mean in chemistry?
In chemistry, synthesis refers to the process of building a more complex compound from simpler elements or substances. This is distinct from the general sense of combining ideas or parts into a new whole.
What does synthesis mean in electronic music?
In electronic music, synthesis is the creation of a sound by combining simpler waveforms, typically using a synthesizer. This is a specialised technical sense distinct from the general or chemical meanings of the word.
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