English Reference
Verb

synthesize

v.
C1 Advanced US /ˈsɪnθəˌsaɪz/ syn·the·size UK spelling synthesise, synthesizes Chemistry

v.to create a new substance by combining two or more different chemicals. It can also mean to put together different ideas to form a new one.

v.to produce a chemical compound from simpler substances; to combine various elements to form a coherent whole. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

Scientists can synthesize new materials in the lab.

CONTEXTUAL

The researcher managed to synthesize a compound that could potentially treat the disease more effectively than existing drugs.

COMPLEX

By synthesizing data from multiple clinical trials, the committee was able to identify a consistent pattern that previous individual studies had failed to reveal.

In this work, the researchers took iron ore samples directly from the Minnesota Iron Range and demonstrated that they can be used to synthesize semiconductor-quality fool's gold using simple processes.

Phys.org· 15 Aug 2026

By synthesizing mRNA that contains instructions for a desired protein and delivering it into cells, researchers can temporarily turn the cells into protein-producing factories.

Phys.org· 14 Aug 2026

Common in science and technology writing


From synthesis + -ize. First attested in 1830.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated