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
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
At the same time, in parallel, develop the capabilities to get to Mars. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2025 Even the concept of a play-in tournament, which the Big Ten and SEC have considered setting up on conference championship weekend and selling to a broadcaster for more TV money, has a parallel in Europe. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
Biden's battle with cancer parallels former president Richard Nixon's near-fatal bout of phlebitis just after his August 9, 1974, resignation over the Watergate scandal. Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 Such an officeholder would take on responsibilities that parallel those of the national taxpayer advocate — a position that has existed within the IRS since the mid-1990s — but in the tariff context. Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • The victim’s boyfriend, who was interviewed on the scene, gave police a similar account, according to court documents.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
  • During the conversation, the actress floated her theory as to why Full House clicked, and continues to click, with audiences more so than other similar shows of the era.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Sizemore sees some similarities in his approach this season.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
  • This further proves how much women really need each other to compare notes and find similarities when going through these health milestones.
    Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 11 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
  • The shop's baklava looks drier and more structured than the other Antep counterpart.
    Fatma Tanis, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • His wife and artistic counterpart, Elaine de Kooning, kept a studio across the narrow harbor in the North West Woods; and Lucy’s mother, Lisa de Kooning, sculpted bronze-cast animals—elephants, cows, rams—many of which still keep watch over the house.
    Alessandra Schade, Vogue, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond this, the study also showed that owning a dog, or even a cat, significantly boosts human life satisfaction and well-being, to a degree comparable to the impact of family and friends.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
  • Daniel Ghali, a senior commodity strategist at the firm, said in a note to clients that the initial moves in oil markets already put this week's developments on par with the average comparable event since the 1980s.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The answer: Every image is composed of thousands of pixels— coordinates of positions and colors, a coalition of numbers.
    Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • More: Trump still hasn't signed agreements to begin transition of power, White House says The Office of Management of Budget produces the president's annual budgets, implements the president's priorities in the executive branch and coordinates with federal agencies and departments.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.

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