CONTEMPORANEOUS Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contemporaneous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporaneous are coeval , coincident , contemporary , simultaneous , and synchronous . While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people. // contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Q: When is 'coeval' a more appropriate choice than 'contemporaneous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemporaneous , coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons. // two stars thought to be coeval

Q: When can 'coincident' be used instead of 'contemporaneous'?

In some situations, the words coincident and contemporaneous are roughly equivalent. However, coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship. // the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year

Q: Where would 'contemporary' be a reasonable alternative to 'contemporaneous'?

Although the words contemporary and contemporaneous have much in common, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them. // Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Q: When is it sensible to use 'simultaneous' instead of 'contemporaneous'?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporaneous largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time. // the two shots were simultaneous

Q: When would 'synchronous' be a good substitute for 'contemporaneous'?

The words synchronous and contemporaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals. // synchronous timepieces

contemporaneous

adjective

kən-ˌtem-pə-ˈrā-nē-əs

Definition of contemporaneous next

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time contemporaneous accounts of the battle from officers on both sides

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How does the adjective contemporaneous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporaneous are coeval, coincident, contemporary, simultaneous, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is coeval a more appropriate choice than contemporaneous?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemporaneous, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

When can coincident be used instead of contemporaneous?

In some situations, the words coincident and contemporaneous are roughly equivalent. However, coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship.

the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year

Where would contemporary be a reasonable alternative to contemporaneous?

Although the words contemporary and contemporaneous have much in common, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When is it sensible to use simultaneous instead of contemporaneous?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporaneous largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

When would synchronous be a good substitute for contemporaneous?

The words synchronous and contemporaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals.

synchronous timepieces

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 contemporaneous The two Spinosaurus species, which were contemporaneous, shared the same general body plan including long dorsal spines forming the sail-like structure and a skull adapted for hunting fish. —

Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026 But The Oregonian/OregonLive and ProPublica could find no contemporaneous data that supported Nike’s assertion. —

Matthew Kish, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2026 Sponsoring a cold storage firm with facilities in KC — all referenced in contemporaneous news releases. —

Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026 Administration officials gave one account of the shooting in Minneapolis and contemporaneous video provided a decidedly different one. —

Steven Sloan, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemporaneous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporaneous

Adjective

Much Democratic rhetoric has elided the nuances of these concurrent truths.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
In that case, prosecutors are recommending concurrent sentences of life without parole for the first-degree murder conviction.

— JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of concurrent

Browse Nearby Words

contemplative

contemporaneous

contemporaneously

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“Contemporaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporaneous. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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