synchronicity

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

How to pronounce synchronicity (audio)

, 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 C. G. Jung

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 Not any single outcome seemed impossible, but to have all four happen in synchronicity was highly unlikely. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "A fitting frustrating end: The Oakland Raiders are no more," 29 Dec. 2019 Only a group of musicians who have toured together for so long – with several original members still on the bandstand – could have attained this kind of synchronicity in intricate passagework. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra review: Wynton Marsalis and friends take on ‘Jazz Ambassadors’," 16 Nov. 2019 But to make that vision a reality, companies like Nuro have to build it from scratch, a herculean effort involving dozens of vehicle operators and hundreds of engineers working in synchronicity each day to test robotic systems and map entire cities. — Peter Holley, Washington Post, "The future of autonomous delivery may be unfolding in an unlikely place: Suburban Houston," 13 Nov. 2019 Providence is already supporting this convergence with a generous dose of synchronicity. — Patty Limerick, The Denver Post, "Limerick: Zuckerberg stands at the great frontier; Western history should guide him," 25 Oct. 2019 Such synchronicity is also a feature of real brains, including those of preterm human infants of about the same age as Dr Muotri’s organoids. — The Economist, "Cerebral organoids are becoming more brainlike," 29 Aug. 2019 It’s hard to ignore the synchronicity of Buckley’s all-too-brief life. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "New Book of Jeff Buckley’s Journals and Belongings Offers a Vivid Self-Portrait of the Late Artist," 31 Oct. 2019 Ah the synchronicity of it all Sean and I came to the Orlando Sentinel newspaper about the same time, on the cusp of pre-Internet days in 1986-87. — Mike Oliver | Moliver@al.com, al, "Happy birthday to me and mentor who also chronicled his death," 22 Oct. 2019 Here the warmly expressed playing of double bassoons, oboes, clarinets and so forth captured the unerring synchronicity and mutual empathy of these musicians. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Montreal Symphony Orchestra review: Profound Bartok, brilliant Rachmaninoff in Greatest Hits night at Orchestra Hall," 16 Oct. 2019

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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Dictionary Entries near synchronicity

synchronisation

synchronization

Statistics for synchronicity

Last Updated

6 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Synchronicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for synchronicity

synchronicity

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

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