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 Agents focused their operation on an adjacent plant that’s still under construction at which Hyundai has partnered with LG Energy Solution to produce batteries that power EVs. Russ Bynum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 Ticket-holders will also be able to explore a tight but impactful exhibition of vintage McQueen fashion and ephemera adjacent to the theater, at the Mansion at Hudson Yards. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025 Construction at the site, which stretches over 3,000 acres, has been suspended, but there was no interruption at the adjacent EV manufacturing facility. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 There’s even adjacent films like At Close Range. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adjacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjacent
Adjective
  • The increase widens a stark property tax gap between Idaho’s two largest school districts — Boise and West Ada — and illustrates dramatic policy differences between the adjoining Treasure Valley districts.
    Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Speaking of the sea, the adjoining swim platform provides direct access to the water.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether the Supreme Court fires this blast or not, Republicans need to be aware that breaking up majority-minority districts, and dispersing those voters into neighboring districts to dilute their voting power, may well make those neighboring districts less safe for Republican incumbents.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • How the jackpots got so large The first multi-state lottery was started in 1985 by three small states – Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine – which joined together to better compete with neighboring Massachusetts.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adjacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjacent. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adjacent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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