synchronicity

noun

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syn·chro·nic·i·ty | \ ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈni-sə-tē

, ˌsin- \

plural synchronicities

Definition of synchronicity

1 : the quality or fact of being synchronous

2 : the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (such as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality —used especially in the psychology of Carl Gustav Jung

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Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About synchronicity

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Did you know?

"It happens to everyone sooner or later: A certain number pops up wherever you go; an old friend you haven't seen in 20 years since high school appears the same day you're looking at her picture in a yearbook; you're singing a song and turn on the radio—and the same song is playing." Such coincidences, here described by Thomas Ropp in The Arizona Republic, March 29,1999, are examples of synchronicity. The concept is linked to the psychology of Carl Jung. Jung didn't coin the word (the "simultaneousness" sense of synchronicity was already in use), but he gave it special importance in his writings. Jung believed that such "meaningful coincidences" play an important role in our lives. Today, some people even look to synchronicities for spiritual guidance.

Examples of synchronicity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This style of yoga doesn’t focus on flow or the synchronicity of breath and movement, but rather on stillness and engaging muscles by holding single poses for prolonged periods. — Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, 30 Apr. 2018 Every element is intimately choreographed, with whales exploding into the air and onscreen in perfect synchronicity. — Tim Zimmermann, Outside Online, 30 July 2010 By talking with users, Kennedy realized that women want synchronicity in real-time instead of asynchronous social media where users post something and wait for comments and likes. — Blake Morgan, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2021 The synchronicity was so precise that the fireflies resembled a single luminous organism hovering above the forest floor. — Vanessa Gregory, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2022 Our journeys have gone in different directions since then, but synchronicity pulls us back together once again. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2022 The firefly pioneers of the twentieth century were Elisabeth and John Buck, a married couple who began methodically studying fireflies and theorizing about synchronicity in the Thirties. — Vanessa Gregory, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2022 The synchronicity between the two companies will soon be underlined publicly; redesigned By Malene Birger boutiques will be outfitted with Cappelen Dimyr rugs, in keeping with the sisters’ overall approach to design. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2022 That kind of chromatic synchronicity, said Ms. Harris, cuts down on visual clutter. — Lauren Joseph, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'synchronicity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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synchronic

synchronicity

synchronisation

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Last Updated

10 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Synchronicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity. Accessed 22 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for synchronicity

synchronicity

noun

syn·chro·nic·i·ty | \ ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈnis-ət-ē, ˌsin-

plural synchronicities

Medical Definition of synchronicity

: the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality —used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung