A terminal synchronization method and apparatus for use in a wireless communication system are provided. A synchronization method includes configuring, at the terminal, a synchronization signal reference time depending on whether a synchronization signal is received in an initial observation period as long as at least two frames, monitoring to receive the synchronization signal in an alternation period of a transmission period and a reception period, the alternation period following the initial observation period, updating the reference time depending on whether the synchronization signal is received in the reception period, transmitting the synchronization signal at the updated reference time in the transmission period, and updating the reference time depending on whether the synchronization signal is received in a dedicated observation period following the alternation period. The synchronization apparatus and method are advantageous in that synchronization is obtained without assistance of a base station, an Access Point (AP), etc.