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 The four-year ban is analogous with the maximum punishment for intentional doping. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Ali, who has been the series’ resident mentor, father figure, listening ear, voice of reason and confidant, transforms into what is most analogous to an action hero in a revenge plot. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026 He was asked why there hasn’t been analogous progress by the men’s national team. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 This project, in Carl’s mind, is roughly analogous to the civil-rights activism of the 20th century. Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • Ganfield said there was a flash, similar to when a grenade goes off in a film.
    Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Space has spent decades in a similar space, as a technology that is impressive but not yet ordinary, but that may finally be changing.
    Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Australian Productivity Commission proposed a similar wide-ranging TDM exception to cover AI model training, citing comparable exceptions in Japan and Singapore.
    Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026
  • County officials kept comparable county manager salaries in the metro area in mind when making their decision, Jebens-Singh said.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 July 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 abductions in the southern state of Oyo had represented an escalation of the country’s security crisis because most such abductions previously had taken place in the north.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • About 200,000 such observations, spanning July 2022 to June 2025, formed the dataset the team used to measure Earth’s frame dragging.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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