contemporary 1 of 2

Definition of contemporarynext

contemporary

2 of 2

noun

as in companion
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective contemporary differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporary are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, simultaneous, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When is coeval a more appropriate choice than contemporary?

In some situations, the words coeval and contemporary are roughly equivalent. However, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

When could coincident be used to replace contemporary?

The words coincident and contemporary can be used in similar contexts, but 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

In what contexts can contemporaneous take the place of contemporary?

While the synonyms contemporaneous and contemporary are close in meaning, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use simultaneous instead of contemporary?

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

the two shots were simultaneous

Where would synchronous be a reasonable alternative to contemporary?

The synonyms synchronous and contemporary are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 contemporary
Adjective
Unlike other European queens, who tend to limit the use of this type of piece, Máxima has opted to vindicate it, integrating it into a contemporary image that does not renounce tradition. Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026 After rendering a contemporary Native American community in specific, surreal, often hilarious detail in Reservation Dogs, Sterlin Harjo turned to noir with The Lowdown. Judy Berman, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Vickers and her contemporaries have helped people hone their quiet eye in a variety of contexts, mostly sports. Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 But Duckart sets himself apart from his brooding contemporaries with sheer intensity, never diffusing vulnerable moments with a quip or an ironically upbeat chorus. Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemporary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporary
Adjective
  • Saylor on Friday imposed a sentence of 12 months concurrent imprisonment on each charge in the newer case, with 11 months to be served concurrently with Tran’s sentence on the last trial and one month consecutive.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The college has enrolled 3,412 high school students in concurrent credit classes, according to the release.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The riots are considered the spark that ignited the modern LGBTQ+-rights movement.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Where Iran’s protests stand One month after Iran was rocked by the beginning of the deadliest crackdown in its modern history, the full toll of the regime’s response to nationwide protests is still coming into focus.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some experts have warned about the mental health risks of relying on AI companions for emotional support, especially for young people.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Last year, Chris Smith went on a Valentine’s date with Sol, his ChatGPT companion, taking his phone to his backyard to take pictures of the moon through a telescope.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Classic wing accompaniments like celery, carrot sticks, ranch, and blue cheese are always welcome on the side.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Feel free to switch out the black beans for kidney or pinto beans, and don’t forget all the accompaniments.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • More than half the day has to be live for it to be considered synchronous.
    Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
  • So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The film also draws major inspiration from the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, a notorious outbreak of anti-Chinese violence in the American West, in which at least 28 Chinese coal miners were killed by their white counterparts.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Momentum in that direction, however, has come at the same time that the party faces a fraught financial gap compared to its GOP counterpart that could end up carrying major implications down the ballot.
    Hunter Woodall, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Contemporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporary. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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