26+ Other Ways to Say “at the Same Time” (with 90+ Examples)

Repeating “at the same time” wears it down fast, and the phrase carries two different meanings, simultaneous events and a quiet “however.” Sharper choices like “simultaneously,” “meanwhile,” or “in parallel” make the timing, or the contrast, crystal clear. This guide gives you 26 alternatives matched to the exact situation, from casual chats to formal reports.

In this guide, you’ll find 26 handpicked alternatives to “at the same time,” each with a clear definition and an example sentence. Use them for essays, reports, stories, and everyday writing. You can also explore the synonym finder on infospebble.com for even more word choices across dozens of topics.

In this guide

1. Casual ways to say “at the same time”
2. Formal and professional alternatives
3. Vivid and descriptive words
4. Quick comparison: which word should you use?
5. Frequently Asked Questions

Casual ways to say “at the same time”

• 1. At once, happening together, in one moment. They all started laughing at once.
• 2. All at once, sudden and overwhelming togetherness. The lights went out, the dog barked, all at once.
• 3. Together, the simplest word for shared timing. We arrived together at eight.
• 4. Alongside, happening next to something else. The new policy launched alongside the rebrand.
• 5. While, one thing happening during another. She read while the kettle boiled.
• 6. Meanwhile, something else happening in the background. He cooked; meanwhile, the kids set the table.
• 7. During, within the same period. Sales spiked during the holiday week.
• 8. Along with, adding one thing to another event. Along with the launch came free trials.
• 9. Still, the contrast sense: “even so.” It won’t be easy; still, we’ll try.

Formal and professional alternatives

• 10. Simultaneously, the precise formal standard. The system updates data simultaneously across regions.
• 11. Concurrently, formal, often technical or legal. The two trials were held concurrently.
• 12. In parallel, processes running side by side. The teams worked in parallel to hit the deadline.
• 13. In tandem, coordinated, cooperative timing. Sales and marketing worked in tandem.
• 14. In conjunction with, combined with something else, formally. The award was given in conjunction with the festival.
• 15. Coinciding with, overlapping in time, sometimes by chance. The sale coincided with the holiday weekend.
• 16. In sync, timed together exactly, especially systems. The two databases are fully in sync.
• 17. Nevertheless, the contrast sense, formal. It was risky; nevertheless, she went ahead.
• 18. Nonetheless, “even so,” in formal register. The results were mixed; nonetheless, we continued.

Vivid and descriptive words

• 19. In one breath, said or done in a single rush. He told the whole story in one breath.
• 20. Side by side, physically or figuratively together. The old and new wings stand side by side.
• 21. Hand in hand, two things naturally going together. Creativity and discipline go hand in hand.
• 22. In unison, voices or actions as one. The crowd chanted in unison.
• 23. As one, a group acting with perfect unity. The team moved as one toward the goal.
• 24. Neck and neck, racing even, neither ahead. The candidates are neck and neck in the polls.
• 25. In step, moving in time with another. Her reforms kept in step with public opinion.
• 26. In concert, harmonious, coordinated action. The agencies worked in concert to deliver aid.

Quick comparison: which word should you use?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “at the same time” mean “simultaneously” or “however”?

It means both, which is exactly the problem, readers can misread your intent. The Collins Dictionary entry for “simultaneous” defines it as happening or existing at the same time, so “simultaneously” is the unambiguous pick for timing. For the contrast meaning, use “nevertheless” or “however” instead.

What is the most formal alternative to “at the same time”?

“Simultaneously” is the safest formal choice, followed by “concurrently” in technical or legal contexts. For coordinated teamwork, “in parallel” or “in tandem” read as professional. When you mean the contrast sense in formal writing, use “nevertheless” or “nonetheless.”

Can I use “meanwhile” at the start of a sentence?

Yes, “Meanwhile,” is a standard sentence starter for narrative and journalism. In formal reports, “concurrently” or “in parallel” work better at sentence starts. For more timing and sequence phrases, see our other ways to say “after a while” and other ways to say “and also”.

Final thoughts

The right alternative to “at the same time” depends on which meaning you need. Use “at once” and “together” for casual timing, “simultaneously” and “in parallel” for formal writing, “nevertheless” for the contrast sense, and vivid picks like “in unison” when you want the moment to feel alive. Whatever you choose, make it meaningful, one precise word removes all doubt about what you meant.