CONTIGUOUS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'contiguous' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of contiguous are adjacent , adjoining , and juxtaposed . While all these words mean "being in close proximity," contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side. // offices in all 48 contiguous states

Q: When might 'adjacent' be a better fit than 'contiguous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contiguous , adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between. // a house with an adjacent garage

Q: When can 'adjoining' be used instead of 'contiguous'?

While the synonyms adjoining and contiguous are close in meaning, adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line. // had adjoining rooms at the hotel

Q: When would 'juxtaposed' be a good substitute for 'contiguous'?

The words juxtaposed and contiguous can be used in similar contexts, but juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast. // a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church

contiguous

adjective

kən-ˈti-gyə-wəs

Definition of contiguous next

as in adjacent

having a border in common Connecticut and Massachusetts are contiguous states

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word contiguous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of contiguous are adjacent, adjoining, and juxtaposed. While all these words mean "being in close proximity," contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side.

offices in all 48 contiguous states

When might adjacent be a better fit than contiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to contiguous, adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between.

a house with an adjacent garage

When can adjoining be used instead of contiguous?

While the synonyms adjoining and contiguous are close in meaning, adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line.

had adjoining rooms at the hotel

When would juxtaposed be a good substitute for contiguous?

The words juxtaposed and contiguous can be used in similar contexts, but juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast.

a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church

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 contiguous The measure called for amending the constitution by requiring, in order of priority, that Illinois legislative districts be equal in population; provide equal opportunity regardless of race; have districts with racial minority influence; be contiguous and be compact. —

Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 To qualify for the program, applicants must have an industrial site of at least 30 contiguous acres of land that is listed on the Arkansas Site Selection Database and that is owned or optioned by the applicant. —

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2026 The grounds cover nearly an acre over two contiguous parcels — with a pool, sport court and enough off-street parking for more than 12 cars. —

David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Spanning nearly 88,000 acres across Texas and Oklahoma, there are three non-contiguous ranches—Anchor D, Coldwater, and Frisco—each contributing distinct functions to the overall operation. —

Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contiguous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contiguous

Adjective

Following the victory, as has become customary the past two years, the Raiders held their graduation ceremony for their 15 seniors on a practice field adjacent to the stadium.

— Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Others, like Eric and Lisa Keiser, from Waterford, Pennsylvania, listened from outside the adjacent National Museum of Natural History, where the speeches and music still carried through the crowd as people milled around the Mall enjoying the day’s festivities.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 May 2026