parallel 1 of 3

parallel

2 of 3

noun

parallel

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective parallel contrast with its synonyms?

The words analogous and similar are common synonyms of parallel. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

When can analogous be used instead of parallel?

In some situations, the words analogous and parallel are roughly equivalent. However, analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

When would similar be a good substitute for parallel?

While the synonyms similar and parallel are close in meaning, 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 parallel
Adjective
Bring your left knee toward your chest until your shin is parallel to the floor. Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025 These parallel developments underscore broader challenges in the retail sector during the post-pandemic economic recalibration. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
After all, their missions of vengeance for their respective father figures unfold in parallel, their fates intertwined. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 13 Apr. 2025 This season is the first since 2010 that both teams have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, and the parallels don’t end there. Both drawn against Real Madrid, the home legs at the Emirates Stadium were eerily similar. Art De Roché, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
This parallels the minimum wage critique: both policies impose artificial price floors, reducing market-clearing transactions and welfare. Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 The ducks were seen April 1 on a frontage road that parallels Arizona State Route 101, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a Facebook post. Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • Wracked with guilt over Su-ho’s injuries, Si-eun enters Weak Hero Class 2 determined not to let another friend suffer a similar, gruesome fate.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Three other states – Louisiana, New Hampshire and Wyoming – have enacted similar laws in recent months.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Mississippi River Delta culture in Louisiana and the Mekong River Delta culture in Vietnam share similarities.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • While this may not be a direct response, Banks’ tweets come after fans began to note Banks latest song had stylistic similarities to GloRilla.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Retreat Linen Top and matching Mid-rise Shorts, both over 40 percent off, can be styled together for a polished resort outfit or worn separately with basics for casual, everyday wear.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
  • What to know about Mega Millions To score the jackpot in the Mega Millions, a player must match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball.
    Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In our model, the flow of traffic over a network of roads is analogous to the flow of fluids over a surface — motions that are governed by the laws of fluid dynamics.
    Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In 1958, Congress created Captioned Films for the Deaf, a program that was meant to be analogous to Talking Books for the Blind.
    David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The subplot bears at least some resemblance to the current headlines about the family of Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and O’Connor admits that it’s been bizarre to see his long-gestating sequel become this relevant in real time.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In photos obtained by PEOPLE, PK was seen wearing head-to-toe black from his blazer to his shoes, while Shana — who has a striking resemblance to Dorit — was dressed in a white crop top, a matching midi skirt and chunky heels.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The British Foreign Office confirmed that ministerial Ukraine peace talks with U.S. and European counterparts were postponed and downgraded to behind-the-scenes meetings with officials.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In Harvard’s 2017 and 2020 youth polls, congressional Democrats had significantly higher approval ratings than their GOP counterparts or Trump.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If Villa prepare assiduously to burst out of the blocks at home, then the inverse is often true on the road, comparable to a marathon runner who is unsure of their durability in the last few miles.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The past two comparable moves in this small-investor proxy, in November 2022 and March 2022, led to stiff near-term declines in the basket within weeks.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, New England Donor Services coordinates organ and tissue donation in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, the eastern counties of Vermont, and Bermuda.
    Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
  • By matching the coordinates of 95 of the sprites with multiple orbital satellite trajectories and star chart positions, researchers managed to pinpoint each electrical event’s time to within a one second margin of error.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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