SYNCHRONOUS Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'synchronous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of synchronous are coeval , coincident , contemporaneous , contemporary , and simultaneous . While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals. // synchronous timepieces

Q: When can 'coeval' be used instead of 'synchronous'?

The words coeval and synchronous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons. // two stars thought to be coeval

Q: In what contexts can 'coincident' take the place of 'synchronous'?

The meanings of coincident and synchronous largely overlap; 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

Q: When might 'contemporaneous' be a better fit than 'synchronous'?

In some situations, the words contemporaneous and synchronous are roughly equivalent. However, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people. // contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contemporary' instead of 'synchronous'?

The synonyms contemporary and synchronous are sometimes interchangeable, but contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them. // Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Q: Where would 'simultaneous' be a reasonable alternative to 'synchronous'?

Although the words simultaneous and synchronous have much in common, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time. // the two shots were simultaneous

synchronous

adjective

ˈsiŋ-krə-nəs

Definition of synchronous next

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time the synchronous arrival of a baby sister and loss of a beloved grandmother strongly affected the child

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How does the adjective synchronous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of synchronous are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, contemporary, and simultaneous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals.

synchronous timepieces

When can coeval be used instead of synchronous?

The words coeval and synchronous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

In what contexts can coincident take the place of synchronous?

The meanings of coincident and synchronous largely overlap; 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

When might contemporaneous be a better fit than synchronous?

In some situations, the words contemporaneous and synchronous are roughly equivalent. However, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use contemporary instead of synchronous?

The synonyms contemporary and synchronous are sometimes interchangeable, but contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Where would simultaneous be a reasonable alternative to synchronous?

Although the words simultaneous and synchronous have much in common, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

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 synchronous These collaborative activities across multiple trajectories can be both synchronous and asynchronous. —

Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 If your senior engineers spend 40% or more of their time in synchronous meetings, that is not a collaboration pattern. —

Steve Taplin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Unlike other parks that offer synchronous firefly viewings, Grandfather Glows tickets are per individual, not car. —

Eva Flowe may 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026 If viable, Bloostar will be able to lift a 308-lb (140-kg) payload into a 125-mile (200-km) low-Earth orbit, or 165 lb (75 kg) to a 375-mile (600-km) Sun-synchronous orbit. —

New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for synchronous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for synchronous

Adjective

The Esports World Cup 2025, which was the event’s second year, reached 750 million viewers worldwide and generated 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership of nearly 8 million during the League of Legends at EWC ’25 tournament.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 June 2026
In the month since her Netflix debut, viewers have dissected everything about the now 21-year-old Shirilla, who is currently serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life in prison—her first parole hearing is scheduled for September 2037.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026

Definition of concurrent

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synchronizing

synchronous

synchrony

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“Synchronous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/synchronous. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of synchronous

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