You're sitting there, staring at a blank screen or a dense legal document, and you've typed the word "jointly" for the fifth time. It feels clunky. Maybe it feels too formal, or honestly, maybe it’s not precise enough for what you’re actually trying to say. Language is weird like that. We think we know what a word means until we have to stake a multi-million dollar partnership or a simple roommate agreement on it.
Words matter.
If you are looking for another word for jointly, you aren't just looking for a synonym to avoid repetition; you are likely looking for a specific flavor of cooperation. Are people working "in tandem"? Are they "collectively" responsible for a debt? Or are they just doing something "together" like a couple of friends grabbing pizza? There is a massive difference between these terms in the eyes of a judge, a boss, or a collaborator.
The Legal Minefield: Jointly vs. Severally
In the world of business and law, "jointly" is a heavy hitter. It’s not just about doing things at the same time. If you sign a contract jointly, you are essentially tying your hip to someone else’s. But here is the kicker: people often confuse "jointly" with "jointly and severally."
If you and a partner are jointly liable for a $10,000 loan, the creditor has to sue both of you together to get the money. However, if the contract says "jointly and severally," they can come after just you for the full ten grand if your partner disappears to a beach in Mexico.
So, if you need a synonym that carries that legal weight, collectively is often your best bet. It implies a unified front. If you want something that sounds a bit more modern and less like a dusty law book, try unitedly or even conjointly, though that last one sounds a bit Victorian if I’m being honest.
👉 See also: LUV Stock Price Today Per Share: Why the Market is Finally Loving Southwest Again
When "In Tandem" is Better Than Jointly
Sometimes, "jointly" is just the wrong vibe. Think about a rowing team. They aren't just working jointly; they are working in tandem. This phrase suggests a specific type of synchronization.
You use "in tandem" when the timing is the most important part of the equation. If two departments in a company are launching a product, they are working in tandem. One moves, the other moves. It’s rhythmic. It’s a dance.
Simultaneously is another alternative here, but it’s a bit cold. It’s mechanical. "In tandem" feels human. It feels like there is a shared brain at work.
The Collaborative Spirit: Beyond the Basics
Let’s say you’re writing a blog post or a creative brief. You want to describe a partnership that feels inspired and energetic. "Jointly" sounds like a corporate merger from 1984. It’s boring.
Try collaboratively.
It’s a bit of a mouthful, sure, but it carries the weight of shared creativity. Or, if you want to keep it punchy, go with hand in hand. It’s an idiom, yeah, but it paints a picture. It suggests a level of intimacy and mutual support that "jointly" completely lacks.
I’ve seen writers use concertedly when they want to show that there was a deliberate, focused effort. A "concerted effort" sounds way more impressive than a "joint effort." It implies that everyone involved sat down, looked each other in the eye, and decided to crush a goal together.
Regional Flavors and Industry Jargon
In the UK, you might hear people say they are doing something in association with someone else. It sounds a bit more prestigious, doesn't it? Like a BBC documentary.
In the tech world, especially in Silicon Valley, people love the word synergistically. Honestly? It’s kind of a "cringe" word nowadays. It’s been overused in too many PowerPoint decks. Unless you’re trying to sound like a middle manager from 2005, maybe skip that one.
Instead, look at integrated. When systems or teams work "jointly," they are often actually integrated. This implies that the boundaries between them have blurred. They aren't just two things standing next to each other; they have become a single unit.
The Nuance of "Commonly" and "Mutually"
There’s a subtle trap here. Sometimes people use "jointly" when they actually mean mutually.
- Jointly: We are both doing the thing.
- Mutually: We both feel the same way about the thing.
If you are looking for another word for jointly to describe a shared feeling or an agreement, mutually is almost always better. "A mutual decision" sounds like a conversation happened. "A joint decision" sounds like a press release.
And then there is unanimously. Use this if everyone is in total agreement. It’s the strongest version of "jointly" you can find. It’s not just that you’re doing it together; it’s that there isn't a single soul in the room who disagrees.
When to Use "Together" and Keep it Simple
We get so caught up in finding "smart-sounding" words that we forget the most powerful one in the English language: together.
If you're writing a letter to a client or a note to a friend, "jointly" can come off as stiff or even a bit suspicious. Why are you being so formal? Are you hiding something in the fine print?
Together is clean. It’s honest.
- "We worked together on this project."
- "We worked jointly on this project."
The first one sounds like you enjoyed the process. The second one sounds like a line from a deposition.
Practical Alternatives for Every Context
If you are still stuck, let’s look at some quick-fire swaps based on the specific "flavor" you need:
✨ Don't miss: How Much Does the President of America Earn: What Most People Get Wrong
For a formal report:
Instead of saying "The teams worked jointly," try in collaboration. It sounds professional and highlights the skill involved in the partnership.
For a technical manual:
Swap "The components operate jointly" for in conjunction. This describes a functional relationship without personifying the objects.
For a casual conversation:
Instead of "We jointly decided to go," just say between us. "Between us, we decided to get the pepperoni." It’s natural. It’s how people actually talk.
For a political or social context:
Try solidarity. If people are acting jointly for a cause, they are acting in solidarity. That word has teeth. It has history. It carries a weight that "jointly" could never dream of.
Common Misconceptions About Synonyms
A big mistake people make is thinking every synonym is interchangeable. They aren't. If you use coincidentally as a synonym for "jointly," you've just changed the entire meaning of your sentence.
"The two events happened jointly" means they were planned to happen together.
"The two events happened coincidentally" means it was a total fluke.
Always double-check the "intent" of the word. If the intent is shared responsibility, stick to collectively or conjointly. If the intent is shared timing, go with simultaneously or concurrently.
Real-World Evidence: The Power of Precision
Back in 2018, there was a major dispute in a commercial real estate deal because the contract used the word "jointly" regarding maintenance fees for a shared driveway. One party thought it meant a 50/50 split. The other thought it meant they would figure it out as they went.
If they had used the term pro-rata (proportionally), the whole mess could have been avoided. This is why "jointly" is often a "lazy" word in professional writing. It’s a catch-all that creates gaps for people to fall through.
Experts in linguistics, like those at the Oxford English Dictionary, often point out that "jointly" has roots in the Old French word joint, which literally means "joined." It’s a static word. It describes a state of being. Many of the synonyms we've discussed—like collaboratively—are active words. They describe a process.
Actionable Insights for Your Writing
When you're ready to swap out "jointly," follow these steps to make sure you're actually improving your writing:
👉 See also: What Is the Interest Rate Today for Home Loans: What Most People Get Wrong
- Identify the goal. Are you trying to sound more formal, or are you trying to be more specific?
- Check the "actor." If you're talking about people, use collaboratively or unitedly. If you're talking about things, use in conjunction or integrated.
- Read it aloud. This is the ultimate test. If you say "We worked conjointly on the bake sale" out loud and you feel like a weirdo, change it to "together."
- Watch the legal baggage. If there is money involved, talk to a professional before swapping "jointly" for a "fancier" word. Some words have specific legal definitions that override their dictionary definitions.
- Use "in partnership with" for branding. If you're writing marketing copy, this is the gold standard. It implies a high-level, professional relationship that adds value to both parties.
The next time you find yourself reaching for "jointly," pause for a second. Ask yourself if there's a word that better captures the energy, the timing, or the responsibility of the situation. Usually, there is.
Whether you choose collectively, in tandem, or just a simple together, your writing will be stronger because you took the time to be precise. Stop settling for the first word that pops into your head and start choosing the word that actually fits the job.