synchronize

/ˈsɪŋkrənaɪz/ · SING-kruh-nyzeverb

Cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

Use synchronize to express this relationship precisely: cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

What synchronize Really Means

The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.

1

Core action

Cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

Example

Researchers synchronized the clocks before collecting data.

2

Common construction

Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.

Example

The software synchronizes sound with the moving image.

3

Reasoning effect

It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.

Example

The teams synchronized their sampling cycles to allow direct comparison.

Use synchronize Naturally

Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.

Researchers synchronized the clocks before collecting data.

The software synchronizes sound with the moving image.

The teams synchronized their sampling cycles to allow direct comparison.

Precision Matters

Synchronize overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.

synchronize

Means cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

vs.
in conjunction with

Means together with another factor, method, or action as part of a combined process.

synchronize

Means cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

vs.
meanwhile

Means indicate that something happens at the same time as another event or during the interval before it is completed.

synchronize

Means cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

vs.
in turn

Means mark the next step in a sequence or a result that then produces another result.

synchronize

Means cause processes, devices, or events to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

vs.
overlap with

Means partly coincide with or share features, members, time, or scope with something else.

Test synchronize in Context

The time codes must be aligned so they operate at the same time.

1

To compare the recordings accurately, technicians first had to ___ their time codes.

Prepared byFirst Academy
Editorial responsibilityFirst Academy Academic Team
Updated3 August 2026
Selection and reviewRead our methodology