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

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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for synchronous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for synchronous

Adjective

Those and lesser sentences on his other counts will run concurrent with one another, for a total 15-year prison sentence, the judge said.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Ramirez’s temporary leave of absence and concurrent explanation take place on the heels of other more obfuscated medical leaves that have unfolded this summer.

— Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Definition of concurrent

Adjective

Accelerating human evolution coincident with the development of agriculture increased redheadedness and decreased male-pattern baldness.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
In a separate announcement, but with coincident timing, WestJet also announced a stopover plan in Calgary.

— Don Tse, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of coincident

Adjective

At their peak, fires in France and Spain alone drove some 330,000 people from homes and vacation sites, stretching firefighters, aircraft and emergency services across simultaneous crises.

— Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
The rebels and separatists launched massive simultaneous attacks across the country in April for the first time in a decade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of simultaneous

Browse Nearby Words

synchronizing

synchronous

synchrony

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“Synchronous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/synchronous. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of synchronous

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