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 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 For Russia and Ukraine, the analogous deadlock concerns control over the Donbas. Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • Newlight projects annual savings of roughly $500,000 for similar ships.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • German power infrastructure has previously been affected under similar circumstances.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Guarducci also noted the strength of the market, adding that Beverly Hills restaurants can generate volumes 20 to 30 percent higher than comparable New York locations.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Predicting Murray’s ceiling in Minnesota is comparable to predicting the weather.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 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 round trip marks the first such operation at Minot, according to the Air Force.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • To put that into perspective, no other player had five such games in the last five seasons combined.
    Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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