Definition of adjacentnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adjacent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of adjacent are adjoining, contiguous, and juxtaposed. While all these words mean "being in close proximity," adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between.

a house with an adjacent garage

When could adjoining be used to replace adjacent?

While in some cases nearly identical to adjacent, adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line.

had adjoining rooms at the hotel

When would contiguous be a good substitute for adjacent?

While the synonyms contiguous and adjacent are close in meaning, contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side.

offices in all 48 contiguous states

When can juxtaposed be used instead of adjacent?

Although the words juxtaposed and adjacent have much in common, juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast.

a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adjacent The 28-year-old had studied economics in college, with some adjacent experience from working summers at his father’s car dealership, but knew nothing of selling houses. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 June 2026 Some people began to carry off basic goods such as toilet paper and food from stores in Catia La Mar, adjacent to the country’s main airport. ABC News, 27 June 2026 In Catia La Mar, a community adjacent to the country's main airport, throngs of people began to loot basic goods like toilet paper and food from stores. Arkansas Online, 27 June 2026 Warehouses soon moved in to the area and have been spewing gases into the adjacent neighborhoods ever since. Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adjacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjacent
Adjective
  • Solea has an entirely different main deck from the other two Zeelander 8s, with a large salon and adjoining galley designed for entertaining.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • In an adjoining installation, nude collaborators floated inside a dunk tank flanked by port-a-potties; visitors were encouraged to use (the urine was filtered into the tank).
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The fallen tree struck three neighboring homes, including the house next door, where the tree crashed through the kitchen.
    Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • California is still the biggest spender overall, and even the neighboring New York state dwarfs New Jersey today — but change is in the Jersey Shore salt water air.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adjacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjacent. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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