Definition of analogousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective analogous contrast with its synonyms?

The words parallel and similar are common synonyms of analogous. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

When can parallel be used instead of analogous?

While the synonyms parallel and analogous are close in meaning, parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

When is it sensible to use similar instead of analogous?

The synonyms similar and analogous are sometimes interchangeable, but similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other.

all the houses in the development are similar

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of analogous For Galvani, the frog was an electrical machine analogous to a Leyden jar. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2026 Astronomers are finding that in between the brightest stars, the 'tallest skyscrapers' in the above analogy, there are much fainter stars analogous to smaller buildings. Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 War weariness on the rise Ukrainian experts say the logic of hitting largely consumer targets is in part retribution for analogous Russian attacks, and that disrupted supply chains affect the military as well. Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026 Further, Wrigley View Rooftop maintains, cases involving radio broadcasts and other transmissions of information are not analogous. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • Smith, signed in January 2025 from Reading for a similar fee, was more of a slow burner in the second tier, starting just one league game before the turn of the year as Moore was continually preferred.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Xiaomi, the world's third-largest smartphone player, introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold on Monday, a passport-sized device similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, which was released earlier this year.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But with the important exception of Somalia and large parts of West Africa, jihadi groups have not managed a mobilization comparable with the ones after the 2003 Iraq War or during the rise of the Islamic State.
    Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Ministerial salaries had increasingly fallen behind comparable earnings in the private sector and civil service, making a review necessary, Wong said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • America's most affluent suburbs are more alike than different.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • According to author Caroline Hallemann—whose book The Kennedys and the Windsors came out on June 2—the two women were even more alike than meets the eye.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The need for such systems is growing as electrification, industrial electricity demand, and data centers put additional pressure on power networks.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • One such ruse, revealed by The Athletic in August 2024, involved a team of pickpockets being hired to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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