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

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

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 contemporary

Adjective

Yayoi Kusama, whose obsessive repetitions of dots and nets became a means of expressing infinity, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary art worldwide, died on August 14 of multiple organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 After nearly a decade, Ridley Scott is returning to the Alien franchise with a contemporary take. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Parton later provided a permission structure for genre contemporaries – including Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris – to do the same. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 At the time, it was thought to be by Philippe de Champaigne, a French artist and contemporary of Bernini. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporary

Adjective

The tool kit suggests states use concurrent review to compare delivered hours against authorized hours and test whether intensity still tracks progress.

— JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
The departures come as Phillips prepares for its upcoming fall sales, to launch in London in October, concurrent with Frieze Week.

— News Desk, Artforum, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of concurrent

Adjective

Users reported problems with Outlook, while OpenAI said users may experience problems starting or continuing tasks in ChatGPT Work, temporarily disabling two of the modern office's favorite methods of assigning more work.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Drew This gender-neutral name is inspired by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, considered one of the best signal-callers of the modern era.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of modern

Noun

Work to me has been the best companion, the best therapy, the greatest joy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Senate Bill 1119, also authored by Padilla, would require companion chatbot operators to evaluate the design of their products for any potential harm on children and conduct safety audits.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of companion

Noun

The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Pasta salad, potato salad, or other summer vegetable dishes also make perfect accompaniments.

— Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of accompaniment

Adjective

Amanda Kocon, Edmentum's chief strategy and operating officer, said the interface looks like an online college course where students work through activities and videos, with options for synchronous instruction through video calls and office hours.

— Lucy Tobier, IndyStar, 18 Aug. 2026
North Carolina is also home to synchronous fireflies, another bioluminescent species that lights up on land.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of synchronous

Noun

And, unlike most of its democratic counterparts, the United States has never had a female head of state.

— Gloria Steinem, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
According to this rule, the body color of animals is darker in hot and humid climates than that of their counterparts in colder climates.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of counterpart

Browse Nearby Words

contemporaries

contemporary

contemporize

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Style

“Contemporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporary. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemporary

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of contemporary

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to contemporary

'Cotemporary': The Archaic...

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