Synonyms of simultaneous

simultaneous

adjective

ˌsī-məl-ˈtā-nē-əs 

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

• concurrent
• synchronous
• synchronic
• coincident
• coincidental
• contemporaneous
• contemporary
• coeval
• accompanying
• concomitant
• coextensive
• coterminous
• coetaneous
• coexistent
• incident
• coexisting
• attending
• attendant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asynchronous
• nonsimultaneous
• nonsynchronous
• noncontemporary

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

Recent Examples of simultaneous

For forty-three years, until the referendum in 2016, officials in London had refracted every international question through the country’s simultaneous membership in the E.U. and its privileged access to U.S. power. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Bernice King, the daughter of late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., says the simultaneous occurrence of MLK Day and Inauguration Day this year is an opportunity to reflect on her father’s legacy. —Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025

Law enforcement officials have said the discovery of the pipe bombs likely diverted resources from the response to the simultaneous crisis at the Capitol. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2025

The Russian assault may have been an attempt to spoil a simultaneous Ukrainian assault that launched just a few miles to the east around the same time. —David Axe, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025