CONTEMPORARY Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contemporary' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporary are coeval , coincident , contemporaneous , simultaneous , and synchronous . While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them. // Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Q: When is 'coeval' a more appropriate choice than 'contemporary'?

In some situations, the words coeval and contemporary are roughly equivalent. However, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons. // two stars thought to be coeval

Q: When could 'coincident' be used to replace 'contemporary'?

The words coincident and contemporary can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: In what contexts can 'contemporaneous' take the place of 'contemporary'?

While the synonyms contemporaneous and contemporary are close in meaning, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people. // contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Q: When is it sensible to use 'simultaneous' instead of 'contemporary'?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporary largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time. // the two shots were simultaneous

Q: Where would 'synchronous' be a reasonable alternative to 'contemporary'?

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

contemporary 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of contemporary next

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time the absurd notion that early cave dwellers were contemporary with the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in modern

being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

contemporary

2 of 2

noun

as in companion

a person who lives at the same time or is about the same age as another Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were exact contemporaries, actually being born on the same day in 1809

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective contemporary differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemporary are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, simultaneous, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When is coeval a more appropriate choice than contemporary?

In some situations, the words coeval and contemporary are roughly equivalent. However, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

When could coincident be used to replace contemporary?

The words coincident and contemporary can be used in similar contexts, but 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

In what contexts can contemporaneous take the place of contemporary?

While the synonyms contemporaneous and contemporary are close in meaning, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use simultaneous instead of contemporary?

The meanings of simultaneous and contemporary largely overlap; however, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

Where would synchronous be a reasonable alternative to contemporary?

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

synchronous timepieces

Examples 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 contemporary

Adjective

Art lovers should also visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum, where contemporary art meets striking architecture by the fjord. —

David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 Just as department store contemporary Macy’s unveiled a new slate of store closures, Kohl’s is dialing back real estate of its own across its retail operations and supply chain. —

Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

Greenland sharks are the longest-living fish Could a contemporary of William Shakespeare still be swimming in the sea? —

Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024 Lamar has dual critical and commercial bona fides, a pairing that not all of his mainstream rap contemporaries have access to. —

Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contemporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporary

Adjective

The latest Short Term Energy Outlook estimates that production outside of OPEC+ will be up about 1.6 million barrels per day in 2025 with concurrent demand only up about 1.2 million barrels per day.

Bryce Erickson, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Waning investor confidence in the U.K. was particularly highlighted by a concurrent fall in sterling, which on Friday hit its lowest level against the U.S. dollar since November 2023.

Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025