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
There’s more interest in the past, and in Hirose and Nikaido’s delicate performances as two women living parallel lives in full view of each other. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2025 At another parallel Cannes event hosted by Better World Fund, Kevin Spacey received a lifetime achievement award. Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Noun
That evidence of dependency on caregivers is another parallel between pet dogs and small children. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025 Dear Friends, The film Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk directed by Sepideh Farsi, part of the ACID parallel section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, will be screened on May 15th. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 May 2025
Verb
The discussion on naked dressing adds fuel to a broader conversation online, where fashion influencers point out a rise in modest dressing, often paralleling it with the current economic scenario in the U.S. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 13 May 2025 Traffic sounds that parallel your safety on the street? Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • This argument is similar to those made by Sam Altman, who has argued that OpenAI needs to unveil ChatGPT and other cutting-edge tools as fast as possible in order to show the public the power of the technology.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 31 May 2025
  • Here are Material: There are several silk and silk alternative fabrics to choose from, but our list consists of pure mulberry silk, bamboo varieties, and satin that all have a similar look and feel.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • On a recording of The Zach Lowe show this week, Lowe, a national NBA analyst, pointed out the similarities between an offensive possession the Timberwolves produced in the first quarter of Wednesday’s Game 5 and what San Antonio did in the 2014 Western Conference Finals, also in Oklahoma City.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 31 May 2025
  • Yet the siblings’ new environment curdles pretty quickly as Laura becomes unduly fascinated with Piper’s similarities to her deceased child, and is outwardly hostile toward the fiercely protective Andy.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Unlike last season, when the top-four seeds and first-round byes were reserved for conference champions, the top seeds will match the selection committee’s final rankings, with no regard to league affiliation.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • One set of trousers and underwear matched Mulcahy’s DNA, and the other matched Duffy’s, corroborating his confession.
    Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 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, Wired News, 1 June 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
Noun
  • For a royal family that has often been criticized for being out of touch, this is a great look, and proof that perhaps William’s resemblance to his mother goes beyond his features.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 2 June 2025
  • New York’s start bears resemblance to the 2023 Aces.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Officials started making calls to counterparts Wednesday night to emphasize that, in their minds, nothing had changed and that process and urgency should be maintained.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • These organizations serve about 30 million Americans across all 50 states but are typically under-resourced compared to their counterparts at major health systems.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, no other project of the past half century comes to mind that is comparable to Orozco’s work of the past three decades, with its the complex and contradictory morphologies, operations, materials, and sites.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Setup time should be comparable to that of a standalone instant-pitch screen room, which will also require staking out in windy conditions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The scheme of the film’s title is Zsa-zsa’s grand plan to build a dam, tunnel and canal in coordinates that roughly correspond to Saudi Arabia, but are here known as Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia, presumably in honor of the ancient empire who prioritized trade over warfare and religion.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • The chapters of From Rupture to Refuge are organized according to aforementioned coordinates, the different parts of a typical refugee’s journey—recalled home, conflict, panicked escape across borders, overpopulated refugee camps, refuge in a new country.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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