A together synonym can mean three quite different things: people acting as a group (jointly, collectively, side by side), events happening at one moment (simultaneously, at once) or numbers added up (in total, combined).
Decide which idea your sentence carries before you swap. After the groups you will find the informal adjective sense (she is so together), set phrases like together with and put together, and the classic mix-up between altogether and all together.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
jointly, collectively, side by side, at oncePart of speech
Adverb; informal adjectiveMost formal
in concert, concurrentlyMost casual
as a team, in syncFor totals
in total, combined, all toldAntonyms
apart, separately, aloneWatch out
Altogether means completely or in total. All together means everyone in one place.Phrases covered
together with, put together, get together
Which together synonym fits your meaning
| You mean | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| As one group | jointly, collectively, as a team | The neighbors jointly own the garden. |
| Next to each other | side by side, hand in hand | The two shops stand side by side. |
| At one moment | simultaneously, at once, at the same time | Both alarms rang at once. |
| Added up | in total, combined, all told | All told, we raised four hundred dollars. |
| One after another | in a row, consecutively | It rained five days in a row. |
Casual and formal choices on the strip
These chips climb toward official language. As a team is warm and spoken. Side by side paints a picture of closeness. Jointly is precise and common in legal or financial writing: jointly owned, jointly responsible. Collectively treats the group as one body. In concert tops the scale, fitting diplomacy or business: the agencies acted in concert.
If you want a verb instead of an adverb, try collaborate, cooperate or team up.
Before and after: together in context
- We worked together on the poster becomes we teamed up on the poster or we collaborated on the poster.
- The choir sang together becomes the choir sang in unison.
- Together, the two firms employ ten thousand people becomes combined, the two firms employ ten thousand people.
- They arrived together becomes they arrived at the same moment.
- The cousins grew up together becomes the cousins grew up side by side.
- The partners are together responsible becomes the partners are jointly responsible.
A cover letter line: "I worked together with designers and engineers." Cutting it to "I collaborated with designers and engineers" drops the extra word and sounds more active, which hiring managers like.
Altogether or all together?
Altogether is one word meaning completely (an altogether different plan) or in total (that comes to twenty altogether). All together is two words meaning everyone or everything in one place or at one time: the family was all together for dinner. Try this check: if the words can be split (the family was all sitting together), use two words.
Phrases built on together
- Together with means along with, as well as or plus. See as well as synonyms.
- Put together a report: compile, assemble, draft.
- Get together with friends: meet up, gather, hang out.
- Pull yourself together: calm down, regain composure.
- Bring together two ideas: combine, unite, link.
The informal adjective, as in "she seems so together", swaps with composed, organized or level-headed.
Close, yet not the same
Mutually means each to the other, as in mutually agreed; it does not describe shared action. Both refers to two items, so "both went" cannot cover a group of five. United describes a shared goal, not just shared space. Two strangers on a bus sit together, but they are not united.
Opposites of together
The main antonyms are apart, separately, alone, individually and independently. Solo is casual and often used for travel or music.
- The twins took their exams separately.
- Each student works independently on the first draft.
Extra connectors appear in our guide to linking words.
Frequently asked questions
Which version of together reads as formal?
Jointly, collectively and in concert are formal. Concurrently is formal when you mean at the same time.
How can a resume say worked together?
Collaborate, cooperate, team up and join forces all work. Collaborate is the best fit for resumes and cover letters.
Is altogether the same as all together?
No. Altogether means completely or in total, while all together means everyone in one place or at one time.
What word means together at the same time?
Simultaneously is the standard choice. At once and in unison are simpler, and in unison suits voices or movements.
What is the opposite of together?
Apart, separately and alone are the usual opposites. Individually stresses that each person acts on their own.
What does it mean when someone is together?
In casual speech it means calm, organized and in control. Composed and level-headed are good replacements in writing.