Meaning & use
synchronously
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a way that happens at exactly the same time or in perfect time with something else.
Grammar: Not usually used with more or most; things either happen together or they do not.
Patterns
- move synchronously with something
- work synchronously
The dancers moved synchronously, as if controlled by a single mind.
The two engines fire synchronously to keep the boat steady.
Fireflies in the valley flash synchronously every summer night.
adverbnot comparablecomputingtechnical
In computing or communication, in real time, with each step waiting for the previous one to finish.
Grammar: Often contrasted with asynchronously: the code runs synchronously, step by step.
Patterns
- run synchronously
- communicate synchronously
The function runs synchronously, so the page freezes until it finishes.
Students can join the lecture synchronously or watch the recording later.
The two servers update their data synchronously.
Common combinations
- operate synchronously
- The two circuits operate synchronously.
- respond synchronously
- The app responds synchronously to each command.
- learn synchronously
- Students learn synchronously during live video classes.
- move synchronously
- The swimmers moved synchronously across the pool.
- execute synchronously
- The script will execute synchronously, one line at a time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- simultaneously
- Simultaneously just means at the same time, whereas synchronously suggests timing that is deliberately coordinated.
- in unison
- In unison is a general phrase for doing something together and is common for voices and movements.
- concurrently
- Concurrently means overlapping in time, but the events need not be in step with each other.
- in sync
- In sync is the casual, everyday version and is rarely used in technical writing.
Opposites
Word family
- synchronous adjective
- happening at the same time or in step
- synchronize verb
- to make things happen at the same time
- synchronization noun
- the act of making things match in time
- synchrony noun
- the state of happening together in time
Commonly confused: synchronously or simultaneously?
synchronously vs simultaneously
Simultaneously only says that two things happen at once, but synchronously implies they are coordinated or timed to match.
Practice
The program waits for each step to finish before starting the next, so it runs ______.
Choose one answer.
Running one step after another in order is synchronous execution. Asynchronously is the tempting opposite, which means steps do not wait for each other.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “synchronously”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.