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

Examples of contiguous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The next total solar eclipse that will be visible in the contiguous U.S. is Aug. 23, 2044, NASA said. Kelly Tyko, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024 Kmart is closing its last big-box store in the contiguous U.S., employees with the company told CBS MoneyWatch, capping the retreat of what was once America's dominant discount retailer. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2024 By September 17, nearly 36% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, with conditions expanding or intensifying across the Deep South, Great Plains and the Great Basin and California. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024 Of the 10 hurricanes with 150 mph winds or greater that made landfall in the contiguous United States in just over 100 years, all but one of them exploded in force and power during rapid intensification. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contiguous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contiguous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Thesaurus Entries Near contiguous

Cite this Entry

“Contiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contiguous. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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