synthesize

/ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/

//ˈsɪnθəsaɪz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"synthesize" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“synthesize” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #31,368 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#31,368
frequency rank, English
10
letters
16
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To combine two or more things to produce a new product.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

synthesize vs synthesizer
91% similar
synthesize vs synthesis
80% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for synthesize
PropertyValue
Headwordsynthesize
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/
Letters10
Frequency rank#31,368
Misspellings tracked16
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “synthesize” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). synthesize lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for synthesize is 10 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/. Corpus data places it at rank #31,368 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for synthesize, with forms such as "snythesize", "ssynthesize", and "synhtesize". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "synthesizer", "synthesis", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From synthesis + -ize. First attested in 1830. The correct English form is synthesize, spelled S-Y-N-T-H-E-S-I-Z-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To combine two or more things to produce a new product.
  2. 2
    To be combined producing a new, more complex product.
  3. 3
    To produce a substance by chemical synthesis.
  4. 4
    To be produced by chemical synthesis.

Etymology

From synthesis + -ize. First attested in 1830.

This word in other languages

sintetizar(Español)synthétiser(Français)synthetisieren(Deutsch)sintetizar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: snythesize,ssynthesize,synhtesize,synnthesize,syntehsize,syntheisze,synthesiez,synthesizze,synthessize,syntheszie,synthhesize,synthseize,syntthesize,sytnhesize,syynthesize,ysnthesize

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of synthesize - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

snythesize2ssynthesize1synhtesize2synnthesize1syntehsize2syntheisze2synthesiez2synthesizze1
Edit distance from "synthesize"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "synthesize"?
"synthesize" is spelled S-Y-N-T-H-E-S-I-Z-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/.
What does "synthesize" mean?
As a verb, "synthesize" means: To combine two or more things to produce a new product.
What words are commonly confused with "synthesize"?
"synthesize" is commonly confused with "synthesizer", "synthesis". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "synthesize"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "synthesize" is /ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "synthesize"?
From synthesis + -ize. First attested in 1830. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “synthesize”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is S-Y-N-T-H-E-S-I-Z-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “synthesizer” - see the side-by-side comparison. synthesize vs synthesizer
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list