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 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 APIs ensure a smooth end-to-end journey that improves the synchronicity between the back end and front end. — Jake Levant, Forbes, "Why TikTok Should Scare Banks And Insurers," 9 Apr. 2021 In Frese’s opinion, the pair’s synchronicity compares with WNBA veterans Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman, who played at Maryland on the 2006 championship squad. — Katherine Fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "3 takeaways from Maryland women’s basketball’s first-round victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the NCAA tournament," 23 Mar. 2021 But, as is often the case, life did not transpire in perfect synchronicity. — Victoria Lamson, Marie Claire, "Friendship, Infertility & Moving Forward," 22 Mar. 2021 As the military stepped up its 2017 assault on Rohingya Muslims, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi seemed to display a synchronicity of emotion with the generals that surpassed mere political utility. — New York Times, "Democracy Hero? Military Foil? Myanmar’s Leader Ends Up as Neither," 1 Feb. 2021 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

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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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

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“Synchronicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

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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

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