Synonyms of contemporary

contemporary 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē 

1

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time

the absurd notion that early cave dwellers were contemporary with the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concurrent
• synchronic
• synchronous
• contemporaneous
• coincident
• coincidental
• simultaneous
• coeval
• coterminous
• coetaneous
• accompanying
• coextensive
• incident
• coexistent
• concomitant
• coexisting
• attending
• attendant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asynchronous
• nonsynchronous
• nonsimultaneous
• noncontemporary

2

as in modern

being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles

a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• modern
• new
• current
• stylish
• fashionable
• designer
• modernistic
• present-day
• modernized
• latest
• ultramodern
• futuristic
• up-to-date
• state-of-the-art
• new age
• newfangled
• hot
• red-hot
• up-to-the-minute
• mod
• new-fashioned
• recent
• space-age
• updated
• modish
• in
• nouvelle
• now
• happening
• last
• high-tech
• latter-day

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• archaic
• old-time
• ancient
• antiquated
• historical
• old-fashioned
• old
• anachronistic
• out-of-date
• past
• historic
• dated
• former
• fusty
• musty
• antediluvian
• venerable
• hoary
• antique
• bygone
• aged
• age-old
• late
• olden
• retro
• outmoded
• obsolete
• passé
• old-world
• retrograde
• oldfangled
• outworn
• timeless
• discarded
• remote
• disused
• forgotten
• ageless
• unmodernized
• moth-eaten
• kaput
• dateless

contemporary

2 of 2

noun

as in companion

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

• companion
• accompaniment
• counterpart
• coeval
• equivalent
• equal
• concomitant
• rival
• coordinate
• match
• peer

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective contemporary differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporary are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, simultaneous, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When is coeval a more appropriate choice than contemporary?

In some situations, the words coeval and contemporary are roughly equivalent. However, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

When could coincident be used to replace contemporary?

The words coincident and contemporary can be used in similar contexts, but 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

In what contexts can contemporaneous take the place of contemporary?

While the synonyms contemporaneous and contemporary are close in meaning, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use simultaneous instead of contemporary?

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

the two shots were simultaneous

Where would synchronous be a reasonable alternative to contemporary?

The synonyms synchronous and contemporary are sometimes interchangeable, but synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals.

synchronous timepieces

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contemporary

Adjective

To bring Glaspell’s work blazing back onto the contemporary stage is an exciting and worthy goal — but oof, that work needs work. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

The contemporary 2017 storyline of Sebastian’s grandson Alberto (Carlos González) rediscovering the play his grandfather saved, meanwhile, was meant to be as irritatingly digital and constantly jittering as Alberto’s anxiety is. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Noun

Of her contemporaries, Kelman stands out as Owens’s particular antecedent. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

Compared to his contemporaries, Kandinsky was not especially prolific. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026