To provide a synthetic jet which reduces an amount of noise, decreases the electric energy consumed in an operation, and has a low structural natural frequency.

A synthetic jet actuator 50 includes: a second plate 54 spaced from a first plate 52 and arranged parallelly thereto; and a spacer element 62 configured to define a chamber 64 along with the first and second plates 52, 54. The spacer element 62 includes at least one orifice 66 formed therein such that the chamber 64 is in fluid communication with an environment 68 external to the chamber, and the spacer element 62 is constructed to deform in a bending motion in response to a deflection of at least one of the first and second plates 52, 54.