as in companions
a person who lives at the same time or is about the same age as another
Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were exact contemporaries, actually being born on the same day in 1809
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 contemporaries
By the late chapters, Daphne and her contemporaries, now old, seem to remember less about those days with Cecil than does the reader, who came through them recently—an inspired way of calling forth the novel-ness of the novel without breaking the realist’s line.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
It was also inspired by William Hogarth and a whole litany of his contemporaries.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Also due to the postponement of his Hall eligibility, Rivers won’t go onto the ballot until several years after Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger — two of his prominent contemporaries — are first voted upon.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
But let’s stick to the important subject at hand, which is that justified - or not - McDaniel has outlasted all but one of his contemporaries.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Our forthcoming study argues that would-be plotters do indeed pay close attention when contemporaries seize power.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The Goodfellas director also credited their ability to overcome a 32-year age difference and come together as contemporaries.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Though details of Emily and Susan’s relationship were known to their contemporaries, much of the information about the two women has been passed along through sometimes questionable testimony.
—Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Family members, friends, and contemporaries in the industry have been posting tributes following the news.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 10 Nov. 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
It was also inspired by William Hogarth and a whole litany of his contemporaries.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Also due to the postponement of his Hall eligibility, Rivers won’t go onto the ballot until several years after Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger — two of his prominent contemporaries — are first voted upon.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
But let’s stick to the important subject at hand, which is that justified - or not - McDaniel has outlasted all but one of his contemporaries.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Our forthcoming study argues that would-be plotters do indeed pay close attention when contemporaries seize power.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The Goodfellas director also credited their ability to overcome a 32-year age difference and come together as contemporaries.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Though details of Emily and Susan’s relationship were known to their contemporaries, much of the information about the two women has been passed along through sometimes questionable testimony.
—Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Family members, friends, and contemporaries in the industry have been posting tributes following the news.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporaries
Noun
-
The primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation receive Group 5 boarding.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The settlement is a landmark moment for Garcia, as well as other families who have claimed that their teens were harmed by what have been described as sexualized and interactive virtual companions.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the Hornets had a tough time shaking free from their conference counterparts.—
Erick Taylor,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The wealth-equals-health dynamic played out glaringly in Orange County during the pandemic.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Before the war, other governments could at least claim to be Washington’s equals.—
Caleb Pomeroy,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The universal hatred comes from the child star’s coevals, whose curiosity about the occupation is mingled with resentment.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemporaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporaries. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share