synthesis

The process of joining separate parts or ideas to make a new whole.

• The report is a synthesis of several studies.
• The course explores the synthesis of new chemical compounds.
• Her theory represents a synthesis of older ideas.

How to use it: synthesis of something (The book offers a synthesis of recent research.)

Similar words: combination, integration

Opposites: analysis

Common phrases: synthesis of something, chemical synthesis, a new synthesis

Using a general rule to reach a conclusion about a particular case.

• Synthesis moves from a general rule to a particular conclusion.
• The philosopher used synthesis to establish the result.
• Students compared synthesis with reasoning from individual cases.

Similar words: deduction

Opposites: induction

Common phrases: logical synthesis, synthesis in logic

A new idea that brings together two opposing ideas and resolves their disagreement.

• The synthesis brings the two opposing ideas together.
• His argument moves from thesis through antithesis to synthesis.
• They sought a synthesis that would resolve the contradiction.

How to use it: synthesis of A and B (Their discussion produced a synthesis of the thesis and antithesis.)

Common phrases: dialectical synthesis, synthesis of opposites, reach a synthesis

The arrangement of words in a text so that they fit together and sound pleasant.

• The critic praised the synthesis of words in the speech.
• In rhetoric, synthesis can make a sentence pleasant to hear.
• The writer improved the synthesis by rearranging the final phrase.

Common phrases: rhetorical synthesis, synthesis of words