coincide

verb

coincided; coinciding

intransitive verb

1
a
: to occupy the same place in space or time
The base of the triangle coincides with one side of the square.
The heroic age of bridge construction coincided with the expansion of the railroads …Mario Salvadori
b
: to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series
100° Celsius coincides with 212° Fahrenheit.
2
: to correspond in nature, character, or function
" … our sentiments coincided in every particular … "Jane Austen
3
: to be in accord or agreement : concur
She coincided with his views on most subjects.
Choose the Right Synonym for coincide

agree, concur, coincide mean to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion.

agree implies complete accord usually attained by discussion and adjustment of differences.

on some points we all can agree

concur often implies approval of someone else's statement or decision.

if my wife concurs, it's a deal

coincide, used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests than of people, implies total agreement.

their wishes coincide exactly with my desire

Examples of coincide in a Sentence

The goals of the business partners coincide. the heaviest snowfall of the season coincided with the start of our weeklong ski vacation
Recent Examples on the Web Three million working-age adults under the age of 25 in the U.K. aren’t currently looking for a job—an alarming labor force trend coinciding with a mental health crisis. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Comparing this fluctuation to astronomical events, researchers found an unexpected connection: Each cycle coincided with records of gravitational interactions between Earth and Mars. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 The move coincided with a scathing speech by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) calling for new elections in Israel. Frances vinall, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 His two-day visit will coincide with Arizona’s presidential preference election on Tuesday, March 19. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 The uptick in population coincided with an increase in the mean sea surface temperature in Mobile Bay from 22.3 degrees Celsius -- 72.1 degrees Fahrenheit -- in 2001 to 23 degrees Celsius -- 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit -- in 2020, according to the paper. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 The action coincided with the ouster of the new warden from the federal correctional institution in Dublin. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 OpenAI's announcement coincided with the release of results from an internal investigation commissioned by three existing board members and carried out by the law firm WilmerHale. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2024 Over the last decade, the almond boom coincided with growing concerns about water in California. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coincide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin coincidere "to be identical in substance, agree in position," from Latin co- co- + incidere "to fall or drop (into), come by chance, chance to happen" — more at incident entry 1

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coincide was in 1719

Dictionary Entries Near coincide

Cite this Entry

“Coincide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

coincide

verb
co·​in·​cide ˌkō-ən-ˈsīd How to pronounce coincide (audio)
coincided; coinciding
1
: to occupy the same place in space or time
2
: to occupy the same positions on a scale
3
: to agree exactly

More from Merriam-Webster on coincide

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