1
as in similarities
a point which two or more things share in common
her professor pointed out some parallels between the two novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in equivalents
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
an advance that is without parallel in the history of virology
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in matches
to be the exact counterpart of
developments in the television show paralleled those in the lead actor's real life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 parallels
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
There’s other parallels to that period of time.
—NBC news, 21 June 2026
David Foster Creates Hits, Discord The parallels get downright bizarre when songwriter-producer David Foster enters the story of both groups at roughly the same time.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Strong opening performances have fueled this intensity, which paradoxically arises from their uncanny parallels as footballing nations.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The parallels with Arsenal’s William Saliba are obvious.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Ras Terms, however, sees the parallels between graffiti and the game itself, something that’s intertwined to the very exhibit itself.
—Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Fonda sees historical parallels between the current committee and the one her father cofounded nearly eight decades ago.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Britain's media, however, quickly drew parallels between Catherine and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, who wore a similar color in 1988.
—Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Stephanie Shih
june 17, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
The storyline parallels government cover-up narratives from the past (Pentagon Papers/Watergate) and today (Epstein Files), and touches on our current dehumanizing immigration policies.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
The new study parallels recent research examining how the same shift in peanut allergy guidance has led to a reduction in the prevalence of peanut allergy among children.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Fire Island, the sandbar that parallels the south shore of Long Island for 32 miles, is home to more than a dozen communities, each with its own style.
—Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 8 June 2026
The Brecon, originally built in 1914 and now comprising 18 rooms and four suites, parallels Singer’s approach to artistically blending past and present.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Their rise parallels growing curiosity about volcanic wines and the role geology plays in shaping character and place.
—Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
In this way, democracy parallels jazz.
—Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Even though the race generally parallels Interstate 70, runners seldom notice the highway.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Noun
But her quick return and public appearances have not stopped some from drawing parallels to last year’s Palisades fire.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
There’s other parallels to that period of time.
—NBC news, 21 June 2026
David Foster Creates Hits, Discord The parallels get downright bizarre when songwriter-producer David Foster enters the story of both groups at roughly the same time.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Strong opening performances have fueled this intensity, which paradoxically arises from their uncanny parallels as footballing nations.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The parallels with Arsenal’s William Saliba are obvious.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Ras Terms, however, sees the parallels between graffiti and the game itself, something that’s intertwined to the very exhibit itself.
—Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Fonda sees historical parallels between the current committee and the one her father cofounded nearly eight decades ago.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Britain's media, however, quickly drew parallels between Catherine and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, who wore a similar color in 1988.
—Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Verb
The story of chamoy really parallels this journey of blue-and-white ceramics, which got to Mexico because of Spanish colonialism and then was adopted by local artisans.
—Stephanie Shih
june 17, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
The storyline parallels government cover-up narratives from the past (Pentagon Papers/Watergate) and today (Epstein Files), and touches on our current dehumanizing immigration policies.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
The new study parallels recent research examining how the same shift in peanut allergy guidance has led to a reduction in the prevalence of peanut allergy among children.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Fire Island, the sandbar that parallels the south shore of Long Island for 32 miles, is home to more than a dozen communities, each with its own style.
—Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 8 June 2026
The Brecon, originally built in 1914 and now comprising 18 rooms and four suites, parallels Singer’s approach to artistically blending past and present.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Their rise parallels growing curiosity about volcanic wines and the role geology plays in shaping character and place.
—Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
In this way, democracy parallels jazz.
—Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Even though the race generally parallels Interstate 70, runners seldom notice the highway.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallels
Noun
-
Indeed, any similarities will help tell us how asteroids were herded around during the first few hundred million years of solar system history following the formation of the planets.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
-
That’s about where the similarities end.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Attrition rates among offshore employees can run significantly higher than their onshore equivalents, not because the talent is weaker, but because the employment experience often is.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Radiators and solar arrays can consume 65 to 70 percent of total satellite mass, and space-grade photovoltaics run orders of magnitude more expensive than terrestrial equivalents.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
On the other hand, the Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point bonus (after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening) matches the all-time best intro bonus for this card.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
-
When the results came back from a genome sequencing laboratory, they were handed off to FHD Forensics, a company that matches DNA with historical genealogy records to identify unknown human remains.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
To make the resemblances convincing, Gethings recruited participants by complementing their standout features and promising to accentuate them with the help of hair and makeup stylists in a studio setting.—
Pat Mueller,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Most of the film’s other resemblances, of which there are many, prove less distressing.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scoreless against Bosnia and Herzegovina for nearly 75 minutes on Thursday, Yakin’s changes following a hydration break broke the game wide open, as Switzerland defeated their European counterparts 4-1 in the second stage of Group B play in the FIFA World Cup.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
-
Now, a new study suggests that by using sound waves, neuromorphic devices can better mimic biological neurons and operate faster and with greater energy efficiency than their electronic counterparts.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Kemp hasn’t been as forceful on the issue as some GOP colleagues would have liked.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
-
Friends and colleagues still regularly drop off fresh finds.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Acting quickly, Fleming extinguished the flames and radioed for help and provided GPS coordinates to bring emergency responders to the scene as fast as possible.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Emergency responders were able to locate them using coordinates provided through a GPS tracking feature on their off-road vehicle.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Though strictly a fathers club, the group, Nieves said, has grown thanks to wives and partners sharing his social media posts with their husbands.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Priced $69 to $109 in sizes XS to XXL, the line will be available via the brand’s e-commerce, and with select retail partners.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parallels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallels. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
