CONTIGUOUS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contiguous

adjective

kən-ˈti-gyə-wəs

Definition of contiguous next

as in adjacent

having a border in common Connecticut and Massachusetts are contiguous states

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In the end, the warmth won out, and this winter will likely be ranked among the warmest such seasons for the contiguous US. —

Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026 The reservation’s millions of acres cover and border terrain from rivers and grasslands to high alpine systems, including the largest contiguous glacial complex in the lower 48. —

Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026 In the contiguous United States, there were just seven businesses operating at the beginning of 2026. —

Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026 Yet, in some areas of the country, spring has sprung with above-average temperatures in around 90% of the contiguous United States. —

Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contiguous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contiguous

Adjective

Trains, buses and the Metrorail will drop fans off at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is adjacent to Miami International Airport and across the street from the stadium grounds.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
An arsonist targeted an insurance agency office adjacent to a landmark Fruitvale district Mexican restaurant early Friday, and although the business was gutted by flames, firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to the restaurant, officials said.

— Harry Harris, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026