Definition of simultaneousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective simultaneous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of simultaneous are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, contemporary, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

When can coeval be used instead of simultaneous?

Although the words coeval and simultaneous have much in common, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

In what contexts can coincident take the place of simultaneous?

In some situations, the words coincident and simultaneous are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When is it sensible to use contemporaneous instead of simultaneous?

The words contemporaneous and simultaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Where would contemporary be a reasonable alternative to simultaneous?

The meanings of contemporary and simultaneous largely overlap; however, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When might synchronous be a better fit than simultaneous?

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

synchronous timepieces

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 simultaneous Prince continues to hold the all-time record for the most simultaneous wins on the Billboard 200. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 After the simultaneous awarding of the Russian and Qatari World Cups, in 2010, a process that was riddled with vote-buying, FIFA updated its statutes to make sure that such a thing would never happen again. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Population growth at the wildland-urban boundary also increases exposure, while firefighting resources are strained as multiple regions face simultaneous emergencies. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 May 2026 In simulations, ArrayLink supported up to four simultaneous spatial streams at distances of hundreds of kilometers, while maintaining two streams beyond 2,000 km (1,243 miles). New Atlas, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for simultaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simultaneous
Adjective
  • These plans have a limit of 1,200 concurrent sessions.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 June 2026
  • At production scale, with thousands of concurrent users, the cost multiplier can reach 100x compared to a single API call—a reality the FinOps Foundation now flags as one of the fastest-growing sources of AI budget overrun.
    Satyabrat Chowdhury, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Its Transporter missions go to Sun-synchronous orbit, and Bandwagon flights launch into mid-inclination orbits.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
  • The park is also debuting another attraction, the Nighttime Firefly Experience, a new year-round, immersive installation inspired by the Smoky Mountains’ rare synchronous fireflies.
    Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • For his last runway collection, unveiled in September, Michele constructed a parallel universe of side-by-side shows separated by a wall that when lifted revealed twins in identical looks in synchronic stride.
    Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2022
  • With a lockable synchronic-tilt mechanism and special Z-Shape design, the Kaiser 2 can accommodate a weight up to 180kg, quite a bit more than normal mechanisms on office chairs and the back can be reclined to an angle of 160 degrees which can be locked when not in rocking mode.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021
Adjective
  • Regional banks bounced a bit, still down a couple percent on the week, as Thursday’s flush lower amid a few separate but coincident credit hiccups exacerbated underlying unease with the opaque and possibly lax lending across private credit and among smaller commercial banks.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The coincident new Moon contributes no light pollution, making 2025 ideal for Orionid viewing.
    Big Think, Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Simultaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simultaneous. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on simultaneous

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster