Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of contiguous are adjacent, adjoining, and juxtaposed. While all these words mean "being in close proximity," contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side.

offices in all 48 contiguous states

When might adjacent be a better fit than contiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to contiguous, 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 can adjoining be used instead of contiguous?

While the synonyms adjoining and contiguous are close in meaning, adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line.

had adjoining rooms at the hotel

When would juxtaposed be a good substitute for contiguous?

The words juxtaposed and contiguous can be used in similar contexts, but 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 contiguous But they are grown all throughout the contiguous United States as part of decorative hedges and landscape design. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 Critics say Israeli settlements and other land grabs make a contiguous future state increasingly impossible. Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025 Critics say Israeli settlements and other land grabs make a contiguous future Palestinian state increasingly impossible. Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 The properties, though not all contiguous, extend in a band two to five city blocks wide that runs roughly from just west of Interstate 95 to Northeast Second Avenue. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contiguous
Adjective
  • Develop a product portfolio mindset: 70% proven, 20% adjacent, 10% moonshots.
    Rosalba Carandente, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Listen to this article These are crimes reported in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch and adjacent communities between May 5 and May 11, 2025.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Photo : Julian Abrams The primary’s adjoining sitting room has an internal window with a view down into the great room.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 May 2025
  • The farmhouse on-site also offers tours of an adjoining olive grove and working gin distillery.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contiguous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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