synchronous

adjective

ˈsiŋ-krə-nəs How to pronounce synchronous (audio)
Definition of synchronousnext
as in concurrent
existing or occurring at the same period of time the synchronous arrival of a baby sister and loss of a beloved grandmother strongly affected the child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective synchronous differ from other similar words?

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

synchronous timepieces

When can coeval be used instead of synchronous?

The words coeval and synchronous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

In what contexts can coincident take the place of synchronous?

The meanings of coincident and synchronous largely overlap; 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 might contemporaneous be a better fit than synchronous?

In some situations, the words contemporaneous and synchronous are roughly equivalent. However, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use contemporary instead of synchronous?

The synonyms contemporary and synchronous are sometimes interchangeable, but contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Where would simultaneous be a reasonable alternative to synchronous?

Although the words simultaneous and synchronous have much in common, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

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 synchronous Late March-early April: Enter the lottery for a ticket to visit nearby Congaree National Park in South Carolina during its immensely popular synchronous fireflies viewing event in May-June. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025 Lucky for Southerners, our region is home to all kinds of one-of-a-kind natural experience—from catching the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park or Congaree National Park to kayaking to see bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024 More than half the day has to be live for it to be considered synchronous. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Dec. 2024 Captions must be accurate, synchronous with audio, complete and properly placed. —Toby Wong, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for synchronous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for synchronous
  1. concurrent
  2. synchronic
  3. coincident
  4. simultaneous
Adjective
  • Before the switch to Motorola and the concurrent addition of fire station alerting software, telecommunicators would have to put callers on hold to dispatch emergency responders.
    — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The concurrent meetings of the two bodies are known as the Two Sessions.
    — TIME, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of concurrent
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of synchronic
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
  • Another suggestion is that there were two more or less coincident eruptions, one each in northern and southern hemispheres.
    — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Definition of coincident
Adjective
  • However, a simultaneous survey suggested that much of the increase in corporate sustainability spend would be directed towards reporting.
    — Mary Johnstone-Louis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The former first overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft has managed to build simultaneous careers as both a professional athlete with the Los Angeles Sparks and as a broadcaster—a rare accomplishment in the sports world.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of simultaneous

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Cite this Entry

“Synchronous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/synchronous. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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