CONTEMPORARY Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contemporary 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of contemporary

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time the absurd notion that early cave dwellers were contemporary with the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in modern

being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

American has two paddle wheelers, both of which accommodate fewer than 200 passengers, plus more contemporary style vessels with similar capacities. — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Dubbed Camp Meeker Cabin, the project strips mountain living back to its quieter essentials, while still embracing contemporary environmental design. — Bridget Borgobello july 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026

Noun

Prescient contemporaries saw the 1772 partition as a grave assault on the international order. — David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026 Private homes are often open for visitors during the annual Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk, which features tours of private homes designed by Wright and his contemporaries. — Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporary

Adjective

Missouri would be the only state in the country with such a requirement, often called a concurrent majority, according to a list of state ballot measure rules compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Separate from the murder case, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to dozens of financial crimes and remains behind bars on concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Definition of concurrent

Adjective

In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
The asymmetrical silhouette is also fresh and modern, and Quince's supple Italian nappa leather looks far more expensive than its price.

— Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Buckhead Heritage, a historic preservation organization, will make a historic building its new headquarters after reaching an agreement with Atlanta Public Schools.

— Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
The airlines haven’t yet announced what their new, combined frequent flyer program will look like, however.

— Zach Wichter, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

And every spring, thousands of people throw their names into a lottery for a chance to witness synchronous fireflies in the Smokies.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Additional features include dual-cylinder synchronous jacking technology designed to improve climbing and tower-extension safety, along with an intelligent digital control system that monitors operations throughout the crane’s lifecycle.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026

Definition of synchronous

Noun

After recently joining the brand ambassadorship craze by naming Spanish music sensation Bad Gyal as their brand’s first ambassador, the Dsquared2 founders are adding a male counterpart to this new strategy by tapping another local talent.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.

— Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of counterpart

Browse Nearby Words

contemporaries

contemporary

contemporize

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“Contemporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemporary

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of contemporary

adjective

noun

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