parallel 1 of 3

parallel

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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
After moving north and parallel to Florida’s Atlantic coast through Monday, the storm is now expected to make an abrupt turn east and away from the coast while intensifying into a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday. Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 In this parallel universe, our heroes are horrified to learn, the Nazis won World War II. Scott Meslow, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
The cold front that has brought chilly temperatures across the Northeast stalled out over the Florida Peninsula on Friday morning, with a low-pressure system developing in its wake along the Southeast coast later on Friday into Saturday that will track parallel to the East Coast. Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025 Unit numbers have surged in parallel — from just over 27,000 in 2011 to more than 162,000 projected by 2030. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Crews will replace the block wall crossing under and adjacent to I-94 and parallel to the pedestrian path, WisDOT officials said. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025 Henry Jaglom, the independent filmmaker whose work foregrounded the stories of women, focused on the inner workings of the Industry and often paralleled his own life experiences, has died at age 87. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • Police asked Arfsten about similar thefts and damage at area Pick ‘n Save locations in the area.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • There was a similar effort in the build-up to Bukayo Saka’s goal against Leeds United which, again, won’t count as an assist despite its importance.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers have long assumed that sulfur isotopes would likely also exhibit these similarities.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
  • While the pressure tactics used by Cruz and Carr have similarities, Rogers said there are also key differences between the legislative and executive branches.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Each gigawatt is roughly the equivalent of powering 750,000 homes.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Once up to $200 in the 1980s, the equivalent of more than $440 today, the typical manicure now costs $20.
    Arabelle Sicardi, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That matched Denver’s success rate on its first eight third-down attempts of the game.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One need only read the US State Department’s 2024 human rights report on China to realize that naming a Chinese official to a human rights advisory committee is analogous to putting a wolf in charge of a hen house.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • At its core, the cloud is a model analogous to electricity, water, and other utilities; computing is a commodified service, generated at a remote location (in this case, a data center) and delivered through a network (here, the internet).
    Asad Ramzanali, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the striking resemblance to TikTok and other short-form video apps sends the message that these platforms are indeed trying to be a destination for viewing content rather than just a forum for creators.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Jen also bears a strong resemblance to the Uncle Buck star.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Measures announced on the trip, aimed at boosting business ties in the wake of the signing of the UK/India Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025, included a MOU between the BFI and its Indian counterpart, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The best Korean makeup products boast similarly innovative formulas as their skin-care counterparts, acting as complexion multitaskers—often with imaginative packaging that adds points for function and whimsy.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Minnesota and Illinois are considering bills that would grant rideshare workers comparable collective bargaining powers.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Paying homage to this history, the 2025 iteration’s Chemigum outsole is oil-resistant, and its roughout leather is much more resilient than the comparable suede, though with a similar underhand feel.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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