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 That same day, six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned over that stance, as well as the simultaneous push by the agency to instead investigate the slain woman’s widow for any potential ties to activist groups, The New York Times reported. Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026 The exponential growth of school choice and simultaneous decline in public school enrollment revealed a serious structural flaw in the way Florida funds education. Don Gaetz, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026 What other spot in the Golden State so perfectly captures the state’s wildness and its simultaneous love of the ocean and the mountains? James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 But after that simultaneous moment of destruction and creation in the theater? Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for simultaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simultaneous
Adjective
  • Canty also received some concurrent sentences for other crimes, including resisting arrest.
    January 21, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
  • While conducting concurrent searches, the Falcons hired head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday, while continuing their search for a new general manager.
    D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • More than half the day has to be live for it to be considered synchronous.
    Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
  • So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Simultaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simultaneous. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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