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

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 contiguous This would enable it to conduct non-nuclear strikes on the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 The warmth is expected to spread over the week until the entire contiguous United States is under high or above average temperatures by Friday. Doha Madani, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024 Zoom in: Virtually the entire contiguous U.S. was unusually warm in 2024, NOAA found. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025 Every county in the contiguous U.S. now experiences at least 16 days of wildfire smoke annually. Bill Frist, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 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 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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