Definition of adjoiningnext

adjoining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of adjoin
1
2

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of adjoining are adjacent, contiguous, and juxtaposed. While all these words mean "being in close proximity," adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line.

had adjoining rooms at the hotel

Where would adjacent be a reasonable alternative to adjoining?

While in some cases nearly identical to adjoining, 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 is contiguous a more appropriate choice than adjoining?

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

offices in all 48 contiguous states

When might juxtaposed be a better fit than adjoining?

In some situations, the words juxtaposed and adjoining are roughly equivalent. However, 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 adjoining
Adjective
Her goal was to spend more time with her grandmother, who lived in an adjoining home. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026 An outdoor terrace is accessible only by passing through one of two adjoining bathrooms. Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Safa Muhammad lives in the townhomes adjoining the lot, and attended the open house with some neighbors. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Several suites are in the mix, including a Palace Roof Suite with swoon-worthy scenery from its waterfront terrace and a Bosphorus Palace Suite that can connect to adjoining rooms to create a three-bedroom royal residence. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adjoining
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjoining
Adjective
  • This has your typical upscale open-concept kitchen (lots of storage space, top-shelf appliances, and marble countertops), and the adjacent dining nook leads out to a private balcony.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Why do two different, mutually adjacent cities have the same name?
    Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Crews continue to battle the Ross Fire in neighboring Jack County as well.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Harald was just three years old when German troops invaded Norway forcing his family, along with members of the Norwegian government, to flee to neighboring Sweden.
    James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Minter said Moody has been on the Ravens’ radar, but adding him doesn’t change how the organization feels about Loop.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This is hidden beneath the leather, adding extra protection without any visible bulk.
    Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The lush valleys flanking the Teahupo’o coastline are full of drama, with towering, jagged peaks and vertiginous ridges—many far off the grid and only accessible via boat.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The front end is particularly imposing, with twin LED headlights flanking a broad grille and a substantial-looking skid plate beneath the bumper.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • The earnings announcement was fortuitously timed, coming just as reports were surfacing of high-level OpenAI employees joining the company.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Michalka and Sutherland are the latest in a wave of new faces joining the musical this fall.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The market is attempting to judge how long high capital expenditures and elevated valuations surrounding AI can be sustained.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • So surrounding Antetokounmpo with shooting was the smart strategy, because the data suggests offenses play at well above-average levels when the two-time MVP is paired with elite shooting.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The skillet will be quite full, with the edges of the wrappers touching or slightly overlapping.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Clean and sanitize surfaces these animals touch, and wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, touching common surfaces or touching your mouth or face.
    Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ahmad grew up in Kashmir, a region in India’s northwest abutting the Himalayas, replete with vast valleys, glassy mountain lakes, and purple iris and cyan forget-me-nots.
    Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The edge of meadows or fields containing goldenrod and abutting heavier cover is especially productive, so long as there is some protective canopy.
    Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adjoining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjoining. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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