Synonyms of synchronous

synchronous

adjective

ˈsiŋ-krə-nəs 

as in concurrent

existing or occurring at the same period of time

the synchronous arrival of a baby sister and loss of a beloved grandmother strongly affected the child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asynchronous
• nonsynchronous
• nonsimultaneous
• noncontemporary

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective synchronous differ from other similar words?

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

synchronous timepieces

When can coeval be used instead of synchronous?

The words coeval and synchronous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons.

two stars thought to be coeval

In what contexts can coincident take the place of synchronous?

The meanings of coincident and synchronous largely overlap; 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 might contemporaneous be a better fit than synchronous?

In some situations, the words contemporaneous and synchronous are roughly equivalent. However, contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people.

contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping

When is it sensible to use contemporary instead of synchronous?

The synonyms contemporary and synchronous are sometimes interchangeable, but contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.

Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin

Where would simultaneous be a reasonable alternative to synchronous?

Although the words simultaneous and synchronous have much in common, simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time.

the two shots were simultaneous

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of synchronous

From the synchronous firefly season in the Great Smoky Mountains to the bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach and starling murmurations in Somerset, travelers are prioritizing destinations that showcase Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025

Congaree National Park See synchronous fireflies put on a limited-time performance Kingville, South Carolina Each spring, this park’s resident fireflies create a magnificent display deep in its dense hardwood forest. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025

Late March-early April: Enter the lottery for a ticket to visit nearby Congaree National Park in South Carolina during its immensely popular synchronous fireflies viewing event in May-June. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025

Lucky for Southerners, our region is home to all kinds of one-of-a-kind natural experience—from catching the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park or Congaree National Park to kayaking to see bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024