meanwhile

(linking-words)

Found 15 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

as

Time (clause)

Nuance: Time

Common; slightly more literary.

Boring

I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes.

Better

As I waited for the bus, I reviewed my notes.

at the same time

Time (two sentences)

Nuance: Simultaneous

Simple and clear.

Boring

I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes.

Better

I waited for the bus. At the same time, I reviewed my notes.

during that time

Time (phrase)

Nuance: Time

Very clear for beginners.

Boring

I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes.

Better

I waited for the bus. During that time, I reviewed my notes.

in the meantime

Time (two sentences)

Nuance: While waiting

Common and clear.

Boring

I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes.

Better

I waited for the bus. In the meantime, I reviewed my notes.

while

Time (clause)

Nuance: Time

Good as one sentence.

Boring

I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes.

Better

While I waited for the bus, I reviewed my notes.

all the while

Time (literary)

Nuance: Ongoing

Literary; use sparingly.

Boring

Meanwhile, he pretended nothing was wrong.

Better

All the while, he pretended nothing was wrong.

at the same moment

Time (narrative)

Nuance: Dramatic

Best for stories.

Boring

Meanwhile, the lights went out.

Better

At the same moment, the lights went out.

during this time

Time (formal-ish)

Nuance: Time

Clear, slightly formal.

Boring

Meanwhile, students completed the warm-up.

Better

During this time, students completed the warm-up.

in the interim

Time (formal)

Nuance: Formal

Formal; used in reports.

Boring

Meanwhile, we will collect more evidence.

Better

In the interim, we will collect more evidence.

simultaneously

Time (formal)

Nuance: Simultaneous

Formal; good for reports.

Boring

I took notes. Meanwhile, I listened for key words.

Better

I took notes; simultaneously, I listened for key words.

as this happened

Time (narrative)

Nuance: Narrative

Narrative; good for events.

Boring

Meanwhile, the crowd grew quieter.

Better

As this happened, the crowd grew quieter.

at the same time as

Time (one sentence)

Nuance: Simultaneous

Clunky but correct; use rarely.

Boring

Meanwhile, I reviewed my notes while I waited for the bus.

Better

At the same time as I waited for the bus, I reviewed my notes.

concurrently

Time (formal)

Nuance: Parallel

Formal; often in science/tech.

Boring

Meanwhile, the two teams worked on different tasks.

Better

The two teams worked concurrently on different tasks.

in parallel

Time (formal phrase)

Nuance: Parallel

Formal; common in projects.

Boring

Meanwhile, the students wrote their drafts with peer feedback.

Better

The students wrote their drafts in parallel with peer feedback.

in the same moment

Time (narrative)

Nuance: Dramatic

Narrative; similar to at the same moment.

Boring

Meanwhile, the door slammed shut.

Better

In the same moment, the door slammed shut.