synchronous
4 synonyms and 1 antonyms for synchronous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Happening or done at the same time as something else.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Happening or done at the same time as something else.
“The two clocks are kept synchronous to within a millisecond.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Of teaching, meetings or work: taking place live, with everyone present at the same moment.
“The course mixes synchronous seminars with recorded lectures you watch in your own time.”
Opposites
3. adjective technical
In computing, describing an operation that blocks whatever called it until the operation has finished.
“A synchronous read will freeze the interface until the file loads.”
Opposites
How to use synchronous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral, though most common in education, engineering and software.
Etymology
From Greek syn- 'together' and chronos 'time', via Late Latin synchronus.
Full origin of synchronous →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
Synchronous learning happens live, with students and teacher together at a set time in a classroom or video call. Asynchronous learning is done whenever the student chooses, using recordings, readings and posted assignments, so there is no fixed meeting.
How do you pronounce synchronous?
Three syllables with the stress on the first: SING-kruh-nuhs. The ch is a hard k sound, as in the related word synchronise.