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 Flowers that empower Southside Blooms ships bouquets to the 48 contiguous states. Martha Shade, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025 Remote But Resource-Rich, Greenland At Center Of Attention By Tom Howarth Science Reporter (Nature) 1 A new first-of-its-kind map has identified potential locations of naturally occurring geologic hydrogen resources in the contiguous United States—a potentially huge untapped future energy source. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 In fact, the trough encompassed most of the contiguous U.S. as of Monday morning. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025 Because of their rotating recording surfaces, hard drives work best with larger files laid down in contiguous blocks. PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contiguous
Adjective
  • At the same time, California’s energy policies may present opportunities in adjacent sectors—such as EV infrastructure, battery storage, or renewable fuels.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Authorities on Sunday were investigating after a single-engine plane crashed into a road and an adjacent field near Mattoon, Illinois, killing all four occupants.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On the opening night of this year's conference, Natal Con attendees bound for the introductory dinner were greeted by a small group of student protesters from the adjoining University of Texas at Austin.
    Lisa Hagen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The final agreement comes nearly a year after it was first announced and a month shy of the three-year mark since a teenage gunman stormed into two adjoining classrooms, in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers while hundreds of law enforcement resources inexplicably waited outside.
    Matt Friedman, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contiguous. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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