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 And while the complexity of the playbook matters, synchronicity with the folks who write the playbook matters more. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Next Detroit Lions coach must be able to connect with his players the way Mike Vrabel does," 18 Dec. 2020 Sometimes, the painter’s individual brushstrokes stand taller than the humans in the room and the synchronicity with music brings a new, emotional vitality to the work. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "‘Van Gogh Alive’ brings multi-sensory art experience to the Dali Museum," 19 Nov. 2020 All three lines unfolded crisply and in synchronicity, no small feat. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Haymarket Opera launches 10th season on film with ‘Acis and Galatea’," 31 Oct. 2020 The respiration of the central air-conditioning, the vigilance of the expensive fridge, the reliable intelligence of all those digital displays marking the time in almost-synchronicity. — Washington Post, "Rumaan Alam’s ‘Leave the World Behind’ is a brilliant, suspenseful examination of race and class," 5 Oct. 2020 The three facets of the business work in synchronicity, with the general store also acting as the pantry or the café. — Steve Smith, courant.com, "Heirloom Market continues to grow," 10 Sep. 2020 The Pisha-Dufflys recognize the odd synchronicity behind the Gado Gado team taking over an old Pok Pok location. — Michael Russell, oregonlive, "Oma’s Takeaway from Gado Gado takes over Whiskey Soda Lounge space with Chinese-style barbecue, ’cheeky’ Indonesian snacks," 29 Aug. 2020 Instead of crisp synchronicity, Jepsen opts for fluid, extemporaneous groove. — Rachelvoronacote, Longreads, "Carly Rae Jepsen’s Exhilarating, Emotionally Intelligent Pop Music," 10 Aug. 2020 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

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

23 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Synchronicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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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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