as in companions
a person who lives at the same time or is about the same age as another
Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were exact contemporaries, actually being born on the same day in 1809
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 contemporaries
Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with surviving contemporaries, and many, many photos, the film attempts to get to the bottom of Avedon’s distinct knack for capturing celebrities at their very best.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
At the helm is Bill Duplissea, known as ‘Duper’ to his contemporaries.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Among contemporaries, Schaefer called Makar his top current NHL player to watch.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 14 May 2026
In contrast to contemporaries like Mette Ingvartsen, Anne Imhof, or Miet Warlop, Holzinger consistently references artistic subjects and themes connected to fin de siècle decadence.
—Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
Bradley’s film choreography, even in the numbers that Footer deems masterpieces, is above average, clever and assured, but Astaire’s art—inconceivable without the enormous influence of Bradley’s Black contemporaries, like John Bubbles—is in another league.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
In contrast to contemporaries like Mary Quant, whose miniskirts signaled youth and rebellion, Courrèges’ approach was rooted in utility.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The Bronze Age cemetery likely held highborn warriors, contemporaries of Ulysses, but perhaps a queenly mother lay among them.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
But rather than inking a multi-year super max deal, the route many of her contemporaries took, Collier signed only a one-year contract with Minnesota.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
At the helm is Bill Duplissea, known as ‘Duper’ to his contemporaries.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Among contemporaries, Schaefer called Makar his top current NHL player to watch.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 14 May 2026
In contrast to contemporaries like Mette Ingvartsen, Anne Imhof, or Miet Warlop, Holzinger consistently references artistic subjects and themes connected to fin de siècle decadence.
—Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
Bradley’s film choreography, even in the numbers that Footer deems masterpieces, is above average, clever and assured, but Astaire’s art—inconceivable without the enormous influence of Bradley’s Black contemporaries, like John Bubbles—is in another league.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
In contrast to contemporaries like Mary Quant, whose miniskirts signaled youth and rebellion, Courrèges’ approach was rooted in utility.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The Bronze Age cemetery likely held highborn warriors, contemporaries of Ulysses, but perhaps a queenly mother lay among them.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
But rather than inking a multi-year super max deal, the route many of her contemporaries took, Collier signed only a one-year contract with Minnesota.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporaries
Noun
-
The victim’s companions took cover from the flurry of gunshots behind their vehicles.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
The startup opportunity is much larger than AI companions.—
Regan Peng,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s a growth rate of about 23%, the largest change among Charlotte’s North Carolina counterparts.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
In court filings, Rogers, who is Black, said she was denied promotions and pay raises that were given to white counterparts over her years working at TCC.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The summit is meant to showcase France’s new policy for the continent — a shift from a former colonial power seen as dominating to what Paris describes as a partnership of equals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
Pernod’s offer, while billed as a merger of equals, gave rise to thorny issues that the two sides couldn’t square.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The universal hatred comes from the child star’s coevals, whose curiosity about the occupation is mingled with resentment.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemporaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporaries. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
