1
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
their artificial smiles did not make us feel very welcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the familiar sight of the award winner accepting the artificial congratulations of the other nominees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
artificial fruit made from wax
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in nonnatural
produced by humans rather than natural processes
I find that artificial sweeteners often have an odd aftertaste
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artificial
These rugs command attention and lend an artificial look and feel.
—
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Gary Hershorn captured those same skyscrapers as the moon passed behind the spire of the Empire State Building from Union City, New Jersey, revealing more of the urban skyline as artificial and natural light teamed up to illuminate the night.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Maritime archaeologists from the Danish Viking Ship Museum found the ship, which was sunk during the the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, while surveying the site on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor ahead of the construction of an artificial island.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The first artificial satellite able to provide detailed photographs of the earth’s weather was fired into orbit early Friday.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Gary Hershorn captured those same skyscrapers as the moon passed behind the spire of the Empire State Building from Union City, New Jersey, revealing more of the urban skyline as artificial and natural light teamed up to illuminate the night.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Maritime archaeologists from the Danish Viking Ship Museum found the ship, which was sunk during the the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, while surveying the site on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor ahead of the construction of an artificial island.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The first artificial satellite able to provide detailed photographs of the earth’s weather was fired into orbit early Friday.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for artificial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artificial
Adjective
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As his band’s popularity and star power rise, so does Lestat’s influence over vampires and humans alike, leaving others to contend with Lestat’s power in the face of the Great Conversion, an unnatural surge in the vampire population.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Obama recently teamed up with NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards to squash their fake beef while promoting his Obama Presidential Center opening June 19 in Chicago.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The studio put an ad in The Boston Globe in December that looked like a fake engagement announcement.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Surf Sweets offers gummy worms and bears without synthetic colors.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
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Textile Exchange said these finding support its pathways to preferred production systems, which aim to eliminate or reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers in alignment with organic and regenerative production practices.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fuel subsidies threaten to blow a hole in Jakarta’s already strained budget.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.—
Brendan Steinhauser,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sinner, the 2024 Miami Open champion, became the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double — winning Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back — and the first in history to win the double without losing a set.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These faux linen drapes from NiceTown build on the versatility of semi-sheers with 16 color choices and both rod pocket and back tab installation options.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2026
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The chairs have metal frames for plenty of strength, durability, and stability, but they’re handpainted to offer a faux-wood look that feels more elevated and classic than a typical metal chair.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In his new mock draft, Miller has the Bills picking up a key weapon.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In addition to the original trunk and items on display, the Center for Sacramento History and the history museum created a mock trunk inspired by the original for school programs throughout the region.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Nov. 2025
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The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artificial. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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