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Glite Dictionary
synthetic substance

synthetic substance

1 4.1
People make it in a lab or factory rather than find it in nature
  • noun
  • /sɪnˈθɛtɪk ˈsʌbstəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sustancia sintética
  • There are numerous synthetic substances that have no observable detriment to the human body.

Examples

  • I'm not going to speculate on the sale of the synthetic substances out of Citgo since the papers are covering that part for us, but it's basic supply and demand here.

    Blog text (11)

  • The approach also involves identifying natural or synthetic substances that control how the odor-detection cells dictate insect behavior.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The drug, sometimes called "N-Bomb" for its chemical composition 25I-NBOMe, is an extremely potent synthetic substance that the Drug Enforcement Administration considers analogous to LSD and therefore illegal in all 50 states, said DEA Special Agent Bob Bell.

    Blog text (27)

  • Synthetic substances are often used in the production of artificial sweeteners found in many diet foods.

  • Researchers are studying the effects of synthetic substances on the environment to understand their long-term impacts.

  • The new sports apparel is made from synthetic substances that provide better moisture control and durability.

Synonyms

chemical
vssynthetic substance
541 3.2

A substance made or used when materials react

focuses specifically on materials produced artificially rather than any process used material
synthetic
vssynthetic substance
  • Specialized
6 5.3

A substance made by people instead of from natural sources

is written as a two word noun phrase rather than a single form
chemical substance
vssynthetic substance
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A material used in reactions or to make other things like medicines

is limited to materials made artificially rather than all reaction produced materials

Antonyms

natural
∞ 1.0

Not made or changed by people, coming from nature like sunlight

How Artificial

synthetic substance
  • Specialized
1 4.1
natural
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

synthetic substance singular
synthetic substances plural

Morphology

synthetic + substance

The meaning 'a substance produced artificially' is directly derivable from combining 'synthetic' (artificially produced) with 'substance' (matter/material). This is a literal, compositional noun phrase with no idiomatic shift, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The name synthetic substance comes from a simple idea: synthetic means 'put together' and substance means 'stuff'. So the phrase describes material 'made by people' and 'not found in nature'.