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 Acoustic Sounds occupies a hodgepodge of squat industrial buildings in Salina, a city of about 50,000 near the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states, where grain elevators and a gigantic frozen pizza plant jut out from the flat plains landscape. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025 Last year, a Chinese aircraft carrier entered Japan’s contiguous waters for the first time. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025 The limited-time sale applies to reservations made in the U.S. for nonstop flights that take off from the 48 contiguous states to select destinations. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2025 There are more than 800 lots up for sale, totaling 83 acres, including many parcels zoned for single-family homes, while other contiguous sites are big enough for apartments, retail or light industry. Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contiguous

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Cite this Entry

“Contiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contiguous. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contiguous

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