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 Israel's simultaneous push for peace and ongoing attacks in Syria are putting the country's brand-new leader to the test, threatening to undermine his nascent rule as the hardline Islamist fighters who helped bring him to power risk turning against him. Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 The second-generation version can also support up to four simultaneous display outputs, up from three. PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025 According to a press release, KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack is now the first film to have four simultaneous top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 The line break produces simultaneous meanings. Literary Hub august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for simultaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simultaneous
Adjective
  • Only a small fraction of concurrent credit students in school districts take at least 29 credit hours.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
  • However, in cases where someone was convicted of two or more crimes and served concurrent or uninterrupted consecutive prison terms, those only count as a single conviction under the persistent felony offender law.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The modules are supplemented with synchronous discussions led by world-class educators who provide Masterclasses across diverse disciplines.
    Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • At that time, two different brain networks generate slow, synchronous electrical waves known as slow waves that connect visual stimuli with brain regions required for navigation.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
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
  • The timing of these changes were roughly coincident with clarification of Information Blocking rules and Epic’s introduction of its own competing product.
    Seth Joseph, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
  • The tendency of policymakers to date has been to view the harms from internet platforms not as systemic, but as a series of coincident issues.
    Roger McNamee, Wired, 24 July 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Simultaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simultaneous. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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