1. produced by chemical modification of a natural substance
Usage: chemistry; pharmaceuticals

Examples

• Many antibiotics are semisynthetic compounds derived from natural sources.
• The semisynthetic drug was created by modifying a plant extract.
• Semisynthetic materials combine natural and artificial components.
• The pharmaceutical company developed a semisynthetic version of the hormone.
• Semisynthetic polymers are often more cost-effective than fully synthetic ones.
• The semisynthetic fiber retained some properties of the original natural material.