synthetically

/sɪnˈθetɪkli/ (bre, ipa) · [sɪnθˈɛtɪkli] /sɪnˈθetɪkli/ (ame, ipa) · [sɪnθˈɛtɪkli] /|ə̇k(ə)lē How to pronounce synthetically (audio) |ēk-,  -li/ (ame, mw)

synthetically — adverb

1. made or created using chemical reactions in a laboratory or factory, rather than

1.副詞C1
釋義

made or created using chemical reactions in a laboratory or factory, rather than from materials found in nature

例句

Dr. Chen explained how the vitamin was synthetically made in the lab.

passive: be synthetically made

Farmers compared synthetically produced fertiliser with the natural compost from their fields.

同義詞
  • artificially

    broader — covers anything human-made, not only chemical synthesis

  • chemically

    narrower — specifically through chemistry, without the 'vs nature' contrast

  • inorganically

    technical — used for substances without carbon-based origin

反義詞
  • naturally

    obtained from nature without chemical processing

  • organically

    produced without synthetic chemicals, especially in farming

用法筆記

Used mainly in scientific, medical, and industrial contexts. Contrasts with 'naturally' or 'organically' when describing how a substance was obtained.

常見錯誤

❌The flowers were synthetically coloured with dye.
✅The flowers were artificially coloured with dye.
💡'synthetically' describes substances built from chemical synthesis, not surface-level alterations like dyeing.

2. in a manner that lacks genuine emotion or sincerity, as if the feeling or expres

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a manner that lacks genuine emotion or sincerity, as if the feeling or expression has been put on for show

例句

Zayd smiled synthetically at the customer, but his eyes showed no warmth.

collocation: smile synthetically

The actor's apology sounded synthetically rehearsed, as if read from a script.

同義詞
  • artificially

    broader — can describe objects or behaviour; less specifically about insincerity

  • insincerely

    stronger — implies deliberate dishonesty, not just lack of genuine feeling

  • affectedly

    formal — suggests pretentious or exaggerated manner, often in speech or style

反義詞

用法筆記

Describes behaviour or expression that lacks genuine feeling. Often collocates with verbs of communication and expression: smile, laugh, apologise, praise. Distinguish from sense 1 (BY CHEMICAL PROCESS), which describes physical manufacturing.

常見錯誤

❌The old building looked synthetically aged to attract tourists.
✅The old building looked artificially aged to attract tourists.
💡'synthetically' in this sense describes behaviour and expression, not the appearance of objects.