Synonym Chooser

How is the word contiguous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of contiguous are adjacent, adjoining, and juxtaposed. While all these words mean "being in close proximity," contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side.

offices in all 48 contiguous states

When might adjacent be a better fit than contiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to contiguous, adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between.

a house with an adjacent garage

When can adjoining be used instead of contiguous?

While the synonyms adjoining and contiguous are close in meaning, adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line.

had adjoining rooms at the hotel

When would juxtaposed be a good substitute for contiguous?

The words juxtaposed and contiguous can be used in similar contexts, but juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast.

a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church

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 contiguous Larger, more intense and more destructive wildfires are worsening air quality in many regions of the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, according to the federal government's Fifth National Climate Assessment. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025 Only about 40% of the 48 contiguous states are typically snow-covered by Christmas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Elizabeth Weise, The Enquirer, 17 Dec. 2024 The impending event could bring snow to all 48 contiguous states, except for southern California, southern Florida, and southern Arizona. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Jan. 2025 November 2024 was the warmest on record in Asia. 2024 temperatures in the US While scientists aren't as certain that a new U.S. annual record will be set, the first 11 months of the year were the warmest on record in the contiguous U.S. Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contiguous 

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Thesaurus Entries Near contiguous

Cite this Entry

“Contiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contiguous. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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