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 appeal of meme stocks — volatility, anti-establishment, viral — is analogous to meme coins. Niamh Rowe, Quartz, 28 May 2025 The stair treads and risers are fastened to and held firm by stringers, which are analogous to the joists under a floor. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025 The BfV is roughly analogous to the FBI in the United States. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025 What remain enduringly relevant are the book’s insights into the nature of design innovation, which Jencks described as analogous to biological evolution, a constant flow of emergent, divergent, and convergent streams. Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • Be Doing Right Now? To navigate the synthetic media era, the DOJ and other similar institutions need a mindset and technological shift.
    Jason Crawforth, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • In the House, Representatives Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, and Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, are leading a similar resolution.
    Nik Popli, Time, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, this valuation is roughly comparable to that of its competitor SoFi, which was profitable last year and has demonstrated a quicker customer growth rate.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Must-read: The FT has a lengthy feature on how climate change is causing a systemic crisis in the property insurance business on a scale comparable to the 2008 financial crisis.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Why Open Networks Make Sense Supply chains are deeply complex, and no two systems are alike.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Adaptability Is Key No two performances are alike because no two audiences are alike.
    Dr. Jen Donnell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Floridians already have access to a large volume of such documents through the public records law.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
  • The federal government should disincentivize employers from pushing people into such plans by scaling back tax breaks for employers that provide only high-deductible plans to their employees.
    Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on analogous

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