synthesis

synthesis — noun

1. the process of creating a chemical compound by joining together simpler substanc

1.nounB2
Definition

the process of creating a chemical compound by joining together simpler substances in a controlled reaction

Example

The laboratory achieved a successful synthesis of the new drug from basic organic compounds.

synthesis of [substance] from [materials]

Photosynthesis in plant leaves is the natural synthesis of sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

natural synthesis → biological context

Common collocations
  • chemical synthesis
  • organic synthesis
  • protein synthesis
  • drug synthesis
  • synthesis of [compound]
  • synthesis from [materials]
Synonyms
  • combination

    more general; does not imply a chemical reaction

  • formation

    focuses on the resulting compound rather than the combining action

Antonyms
  • decomposition

    the breaking down of a compound into simpler parts, the opposite chemical process

  • breakdown

    informal term for decomposition, often used in biology (e.g. protein breakdown)

Grammar Patterns

synthesis of [substance] from [materials]

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'of' to name the produced substance. Frequently modified by adjectives that specify the method: 'chemical synthesis', 'organic synthesis', 'industrial synthesis'.

Common Mistakes

The synthesis of water is H₂O.
Water is formed by the synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
'synthesis' refers to the process, not the resulting substance itself.

2. a new whole that is formed by bringing together separate ideas, styles, or eleme

2.nounB2
Definition

a new whole that is formed by bringing together separate ideas, styles, or elements so that they combine into something fresh and unified

Example

Her music is a synthesis of classical piano traditions and modern electronic beats.

a synthesis of [X] and [Y] — combining two distinct traditions

The architect achieved a striking synthesis between traditional Japanese design and concrete minimalism.

synthesis between [X] and [Y]

Common collocations
  • cultural synthesis
  • creative synthesis
  • a synthesis of ideas
  • a synthesis of traditions
  • synthesis between [fields/styles]
  • achieve a synthesis
  • offer a synthesis
  • represent a synthesis
Synonyms
  • integration

    suggests the parts work together smoothly; less focus on transformation into something new

  • fusion

    stronger implication that the original elements blend almost indistinguishably; common in music and cuisine

  • blend

    more informal; can imply a simple mixture rather than a thoughtful combination

  • amalgamation

    formal; suggests a union of multiple parts into one structure

Antonyms
  • analysis

    the breaking apart of a whole into its components for examination; the opposite intellectual process

  • separation

    keeping things apart rather than bringing them together

  • fragmentation

    a state where parts remain disconnected rather than forming a whole

Grammar Patterns

a synthesis of [different things]

synthesis between [X] and [Y]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (chemical), this sense is always about combining non-material things — ideas, styles, traditions, research findings. Frequently used in academic writing to describe a literature review or theoretical framework.

Common Mistakes

The essay is a synthesis of five pages.
The essay is a synthesis of ideas from five different sources.
'synthesis' requires different elements being combined, not a measure of size.

Word family

  • synthesize
    verbB2
  • synthetic
    adjectiveB2
  • synthetically
    adverbC1
  • synthesizer
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe combining separate things, but they differ in how the parts relate after combination. Synthesis (noun/2) emphasises that the elements produce something fresh and unified that goes beyond the sum of its parts — a new whole with its own identity. Integration suggests the parts remain recognisable but work together smoothly within a system, like integrating immigrants into a society. Fusion implies a hotter, more complete blending where the original components become hard to distinguish, as in fusion cuisine or jazz fusion. Blend is the most informal and general, often describing a casual mixture where the original elements are still somewhat identifiable, like a blend of spices or cultures. For academic or intellectual contexts, synthesis is the most precise choice because it suggests thoughtful, purposeful combination that creates something previously nonexistent.

synthesis ↗integration ↗fusion ↗blend ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • chemical synthesis
  • organic synthesis
  • protein synthesis
  • cultural synthesis
  • creative synthesis

Phrases

  • a synthesis of ideas
  • achieve a synthesis
  • represent a synthesis
  • synthesis of findings

Prepositions

  • synthesis of
  • synthesis between
  • synthesis from

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'synthesis' comes from Greek 'synthesis' (σύνθεσις), meaning 'a putting together' — built from 'syn-' (together) and 'tithenai' (to place, to put). It moved into Latin as 'synthesis' (collection, set of clothes), then into French as 'synthèse', and finally into English in the early 17th century. The chemical sense emerged in the 18th century as experimental chemistry grew, while the abstract sense (combining ideas) traces back to the original Greek philosophical usage.