contemporaneous

adjective

kən-ˌtem-pə-ˈrā-nē-əs How to pronounce contemporaneous (audio)
Definition of contemporaneousnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Similarly, proceeds from official souvenir sales for both of Obama’s inaugurations went toward paying for inaugural events, according to contemporaneous news accounts. —Zach Everson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 Then, we’re treated to quotes from contemporaneous reviews of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Dracula. —Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024 One the best contemporaneous narrators of Carter’s political struggles turned out to be Peter Jay, the British ambassador to the United States for two years of the 39th president’s term. —Russell L. Riley / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024 Part of Wagner’s research involved reading Adams’ autobiography, among many other contemporaneous historic sources. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for contemporaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporaneous
  1. concurrent
  2. synchronous
  3. synchronic
  4. coincident
  5. contemporary
  6. simultaneous
  7. coincidental
Adjective
  • Before the switch to Motorola and the concurrent addition of fire station alerting software, telecommunicators would have to put callers on hold to dispatch emergency responders.
    — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The concurrent meetings of the two bodies are known as the Two Sessions.
    — TIME, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of concurrent
Adjective
  • Time is rendered as a synchronous blend of moments, untethering and distorting any normative perspective.
    — Sakhi Thirani, JSTOR Daily, 22 Mar. 2023
  • Well, considering the space telescope will be pretty much mapping everything in the sky from its special dawn-dusk sun synchronous orbit that keeps it cool enough to study infrared emissions — the list is endless.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Definition of synchronous
Adjective
  • With a lockable synchronic-tilt mechanism and special Z-Shape design, the Kaiser 2 can accommodate a weight up to 180kg, quite a bit more than normal mechanisms on office chairs and the back can be reclined to an angle of 160 degrees which can be locked when not in rocking mode.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021
  • For his last runway collection, unveiled in September, Michele constructed a parallel universe of side-by-side shows separated by a wall that when lifted revealed twins in identical looks in synchronic stride.
    — Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2022
Definition of synchronic
Adjective
  • The timing of these changes were roughly coincident with clarification of Information Blocking rules and Epic’s introduction of its own competing product.
    — Seth Joseph, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
  • Another suggestion is that there were two more or less coincident eruptions, one each in northern and southern hemispheres.
    — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Definition of coincident
Adjective
  • Singalong 2025 with Phil Wickham Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Phil Wickham is at The Oakdale with Cody Carnes and Kristian Stanfill.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The same lines were applied, inexplicably, to Jaguar’s compact X-Type sedan in 2001, which was meant to rival BMW’s cool, contemporary 3-Series.
    — Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of contemporary
Adjective
  • However, a simultaneous survey suggested that much of the increase in corporate sustainability spend would be directed towards reporting.
    — Mary Johnstone-Louis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The former first overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft has managed to build simultaneous careers as both a professional athlete with the Los Angeles Sparks and as a broadcaster—a rare accomplishment in the sports world.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of simultaneous
Adjective
  • Purely coincidental, said Heat Executive Vice President and Chief Marking Officer Michael McCullough.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The protagonist’s name and her obsession with anthropology likely aren’t coincidental.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of coincidental

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Cite this Entry

“Contemporaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporaneous. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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