CONTEMPORANEOUS Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contemporaneous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporaneous are coeval , coincident , contemporary , simultaneous , and synchronous . While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people. // contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Q: When is 'coeval' a more appropriate choice than 'contemporaneous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemporaneous , coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons. // two stars thought to be coeval

Q: When can 'coincident' be used instead of 'contemporaneous'?

In some situations, the words coincident and contemporaneous are roughly equivalent. However, coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship. // the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year

Q: Where would 'contemporary' be a reasonable alternative to 'contemporaneous'?

Although the words contemporary and contemporaneous have much in common, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them. // Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Q: When is it sensible to use 'simultaneous' instead of 'contemporaneous'?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporaneous largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time. // the two shots were simultaneous

Q: When would 'synchronous' be a good substitute for 'contemporaneous'?

The words synchronous and contemporaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals. // synchronous timepieces

contemporaneous

adjective

kən-ˌtem-pə-ˈrā-nē-əs

Definition of contemporaneous

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time contemporaneous accounts of the battle from officers on both sides

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective contemporaneous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporaneous are coeval, coincident, contemporary, simultaneous, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is coeval a more appropriate choice than contemporaneous?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemporaneous, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

When can coincident be used instead of contemporaneous?

In some situations, the words coincident and contemporaneous are roughly equivalent. However, coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship.

the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year

Where would contemporary be a reasonable alternative to contemporaneous?

Although the words contemporary and contemporaneous have much in common, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When is it sensible to use simultaneous instead of contemporaneous?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporaneous largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

When would synchronous be a good substitute for contemporaneous?

The words synchronous and contemporaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals.

synchronous timepieces

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contemporaneous The firm’s report laid them out in plain and careful detail, with quotes from texts, e-mails, interviews, and contemporaneous notes. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 None of the contemporaneous reports made note of whether the Tesla had one of its driver-assist systems engaged. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026 Brock Lesnar's final three matches Per WWE records and contemporaneous reporting. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The band’s lo-fi sound and intermittent lush orchestrations felt exotic but somehow warm — the Irish counterpart to another contemporaneous example of the form, Scotland’s Belle and Sebastian. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemporaneous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporaneous

Adjective

Player count peaked at 115,145 concurrent players during the beta, so server demand is expected to be high at launch.

— Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
At his April 16, 2013, resentencing, Stoltz imposed a combination of consecutive, concurrent and stayed sentences, reducing his prison term to 50 years.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of concurrent

Adjective

The 1,500-watt permanent-magnet synchronous spindle runs up to 24,000 rpm and, according to ToolDance, delivers more torque at low speeds than the induction motors used in most other machines – exactly what steel and titanium demand.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
The rideshare mission, known as Transporter-18, carried 130 payloads into a polar Sun-synchronous orbit.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of synchronous

Adjective

All this was happening with a coincident and successful assault of affirmative action in higher education.

— Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Accelerating human evolution coincident with the development of agriculture increased redheadedness and decreased male-pattern baldness.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of coincident

Adjective

Nobody Wants This is back for a third season of dancing around the real issues of contemporary Judaism in America so that maybe Kristen Bell’s convert character Joanne can learn about hamantaschen rather than have one political conversation.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Its concept connects nostalgic dance music with contemporary party culture, creating a record designed to encourage movement and audience participation.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemporary

Adjective

The frack happening beneath us was about half as deep as Mount Everest is high, in a section of oil-rich rock that used to be considered out of reach; other innovations allow for simultaneous fracks, minimizing downtime.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The simultaneous occurrence of large storm waves, high tides and elevated sea levels were almost identical to the El Niño conditions in early 1983, 40 years earlier.

— Gary Griggs, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of simultaneous

Adjective

Along the way, a coincidental reunion with chef Andrew Wiseheart and his business partner, Ben Edgerton, helped turn the idea into a business.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
However, Jud Taylor, vice president of sales, said the timing was purely coincidental with America 250.

— Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of coincidental

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contemplative

contemporaneous

contemporaneously

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“Contemporaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporaneous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemporaneous

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