out of sync

idiom

: in a state in which two or more people or things do not move or happen together at the same time and speed

Some of the soldiers were marching out of sync.

The soundtrack was out of sync so they stopped the film.

—often + with

She was out of sync with the other dancers.

: in a state in which two or more people or things do not agree with or match one another

I don't know the exact time. All the clocks in the office are out of sync.

—often + with

His actions are completely out of sync with our goals.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Irregular rhythms could indicate atrial fibrillation (Afib), where the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers. —

Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023 Then be prepared to do some careful review when Mercury, the detail planet, goes out of sync from April 21 to May 15. —

Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 16 Apr. 2023 Like most of his teammates during the Dodgers’ up-and-down opening two weeks, Freeman had felt out of sync to start his 14th big league season. —

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023 Most are taken in spring and fall when their pelage is out of sync with the current weather pattern. —

John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Feb. 2023 Naturally, with a decade of footwork and feel built up on the left side, the harmony has been out of sync, more so in the run game. —

Dallas News, 13 Jan. 2023 His eyes beady, his forehead shiny, and his speech slightly out of sync from his mouth. —

Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 Jan. 2023 The world’s second largest economy weakened dramatically in 2022 because of its rigid zero-Covid policy, which left China out of sync with the rest of the world, disrupting supply chains and damaging the flow of trade and investment. —

Diksha Madhok, CNN, 2 Jan. 2023 In all three categories, the number of officers working in the field, or on the street, appeared out of sync with the number of shootings on the weekends, according to the report. —

Annie Sweeney, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'out of sync.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.