simultaneous

adjective

ˌsī-məl-ˈtā-nē-əs How to pronounce simultaneous (audio)
Definition of simultaneousnext
as in concurrent
existing or occurring at the same period of time a simultaneous release of the movie and its soundtrack on CD

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective simultaneous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of simultaneous are coeval, coincident, contemporaneous, contemporary, and synchronous. While all these words mean "existing or occurring at the same time," simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

When can coeval be used instead of simultaneous?

Although the words coeval and simultaneous have much in common, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

In what contexts can coincident take the place of simultaneous?

In some situations, the words coincident and simultaneous are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When is it sensible to use contemporaneous instead of simultaneous?

The words contemporaneous and simultaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

Where would contemporary be a reasonable alternative to simultaneous?

The meanings of contemporary and simultaneous largely overlap; however, contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

When might synchronous be a better fit than simultaneous?

The synonyms synchronous and simultaneous 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 simultaneous Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere will be treated to simultaneous meteor showers this month. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2025 The key to successfully navigating simultaneous buy-sell real estate transactions is advance planning. —Lucas Bucl, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025 The reported cases of gastrointestinal illness reflect total counts for the entire voyage, not simultaneous infections. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 Dental experts warn that the simultaneous erosion of Medicaid and fluoridation could exacerbate a crisis of rural oral health and reverse decades of progress against tooth decay, particularly for children and those who rarely see a dentist. —Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for simultaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simultaneous
  1. concurrent
  2. synchronous
  3. synchronic
  4. coincident
Adjective
  • Alexa Bliss Saraya and Alexa Bliss, despite their concurrent presence on WWE's main roster, never having a sustained rivalry.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Oh, and Playboi Carti notched the biggest Billboard 200 debut of his career, as well as 30 concurrent Hot 100 entries, thanks to his culture-dominating Music LP.
    — Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of concurrent
Adjective
  • Usually, migrations do not need synchronous processing and can be handled asynchronously without any manual effort.
    — Ravi Laudya, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • This simple practice shifts whole cycles of collaboration ahead of meetings, dramatically reducing the time needed for synchronous discussion and increasing the quality of decisions.
    — Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of synchronous
Adjective
  • With a lockable synchronic-tilt mechanism and special Z-Shape design, the Kaiser 2 can accommodate a weight up to 180kg, quite a bit more than normal mechanisms on office chairs and the back can be reclined to an angle of 160 degrees which can be locked when not in rocking mode.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021
  • For his last runway collection, unveiled in September, Michele constructed a parallel universe of side-by-side shows separated by a wall that when lifted revealed twins in identical looks in synchronic stride.
    — Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2022
Definition of synchronic
Adjective
  • The timing of these changes were roughly coincident with clarification of Information Blocking rules and Epic’s introduction of its own competing product.
    — Seth Joseph, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
  • Another suggestion is that there were two more or less coincident eruptions, one each in northern and southern hemispheres.
    — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Definition of coincident

Browse Nearby Words

simulations
simultaneous
simultaneously
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Cite this Entry

“Simultaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simultaneous. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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