The invention provides a method for synthesizing an alpha-hydroxy amide compound. The method specifically comprises the following steps: (1) mixing amide, an alkali and dimethyl sulfoxide, sealing in an air atmosphere, and reacting; (2) cooling to room temperature after the reaction is ended, adding saturated salt water for washing, extracting for 3-5 times by using ethyl acetate, merging an organic layer, drying through anhydrous sodium sulfate, performing vacuum concentration, and obtaining a crude product; and (3) purifying the crude product through chromatographic separation, and obtaining the needed alpha-hydroxy amide compound. Compared with the prior art, the method is performed in a simple potassium hydroxide/dimethyl sulfoxide system, and a complex or expensive catalyst is avoided; the raw materials are easily prepared; the temperature is proper, and the operation is easily controlled; a target product is directly obtained in one step by taking air as a green oxidant; the reaction is high-efficiency, the yield is 98 percent, and industrial production is promoted.