synthesis
noun
syn·the·sis
ˈsin(t)-thə-səs
plural syntheses
ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsēz
1
a
: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole
b
: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound
c
: the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole
also
: the complex so formed
2
a
: deductive reasoning
b
philosophy
: the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth
3
linguistics
: the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as a characteristic device of a language
Traditionally, the history of English grammar has been described in terms of the shift from synthesis to analysis, i.e. from a language which expresses the relationship between words by means of inflectional endings joined to lexical stems to one which maps such relationships by means of function words such as prepositions.—Laurel Brinton and Alexander Bergs
compare analysis
Cite this Entry
“Synthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthesis. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.
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