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
Here's the parade route The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., parallel to the National Mall. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 14 June 2025 With that First Amendment right comes a responsibility not to destroy property, loot or condone violence, and a parallel responsibility by police and other law-enforcement not to overreact or overreach. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
Noun
The conversation revealed striking parallels across continents. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2025 In parallel, Trump put the European Union in the crosshairs of his on-again, off-again trade war, while his possessive rhetoric regarding Canada and Greenland has stoked outrage and alarm across the alliance. Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Verb
Lancaster Avenue was named for John L. Lancaster (1869-1962), president of the Texas & Pacific Railway, which built the tracks that still parallel the roadway. Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025 This connection parallels Trump’s recent pardoning of Paul Walczak for his tax crimes. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • 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
  • But security experts could find themselves in a similar position to that of economists: despite near-total expert consensus that tariffs will spark a trade war and hurt the U.S. economy, Trump plowed ahead.
    FLORENCE GAUB, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • In some cases, the similarities between the Ivy League and prestigious secondary schools are not coincidental, but the result of deep historical ties.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Quilts are also filled, but here the similarities end.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world defending his 2024 Travelers crown, matched Eckroat’s eagle on No. 13 to tie the lead and jumped into the top spot with a birdie on No. 15 about three and a half hours after Eckroat finished.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
  • With Butterfly Effect’s Manus, however, the initial buzz faded fast after developers testing Manus found that the model seemed error-prone and couldn’t match what the company had demonstrated.
    Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mycelium is analogous to the roots of a plant (although mushrooms are fungi, not plants).
    Skye Chilton, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
  • These talismans of use are analogous to the often unaffected art work shown at Intuit.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • What Pritzker has done since bears little resemblance to the original law, and using it as cover for his broader immigration policies is disingenuous at best.
    Jason Plummer, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
  • Aside from a few minor departures from the facts, the scene is remarkably accurate, even if the actor Alex Wolff bears minimal resemblance to the real Alvarez, who was tall, blond, and blue-eyed.
    Alec Nevala-Lee June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • This means that some particles will decay in the normal world while their counterparts in the mirror would not.
    Zack Savitsky, Wired News, 22 June 2025
  • Liverpool have been in regular dialogue with their German counterparts this summer having signed Florian Wirtz, who officially joined the Premier League champions on Friday, and after triggering the release clause of full-back Jeremie Frimpong, whose arrival was announced last month.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 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
Noun
  • The patient experience office coordinates each stage of the process, from admission to discharge, ensuring that the family is involved and emotional and practical support is continuous.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • This integration allows for simple prompts or goals in English, eliminating the need for complex sequential coordinate and action data.
    Prasad Banala, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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