as in to expand
to use or develop (something) to get something else that has greater value
He hoped to parlay his basketball skills into a college scholarship.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 parlay
Heated Rivalry breakouts Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have parlayed their overnight fame into voiceover work for the audio erotica app Quinn, also home to dirty talk from internet boyfriends like Christopher Briney and Andrew Scott.
—
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
Kohl parlayed that success into what a source told the Herald is a $140,000 NIL deal that is by far the largest in FIU history.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Hopefully, Nylander can parlay this into a strong full season next year.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The guy was a national treasure, and ended up parlaying that fame into acting roles in movies (Red Eye), TV shows (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and hosting gigs (Top Shot).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
Kohl parlayed that success into what a source told the Herald is a $140,000 NIL deal that is by far the largest in FIU history.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Hopefully, Nylander can parlay this into a strong full season next year.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The guy was a national treasure, and ended up parlaying that fame into acting roles in movies (Red Eye), TV shows (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and hosting gigs (Top Shot).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlay
Verb
-
Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The messages seemed to show Felix Wanjala, who was the hospital’s CEO during Abraaj’s ownership, apparently pressuring doctors to meet daily admissions targets and extend peoples’ hospital stays.—
Hettie O'Brien,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Southeast Asia’s motorists are increasingly feeling the pinch as the Iran energy crisis extends into its eighth week.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the climate crisis accelerates and urban populations boom, wildfires across the world are becoming larger, burning hotter, and harder to tackle, experts told CNN.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Something else must be accelerating these particles, but scientists don’t yet know what.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Denver officials want to boost the city’s boogie businesses.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This sprawling, unchecked population growth just increases water demand.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is a developing story and will be updated.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pittsburgh got aggressive to nab a solid Plan B at receiver (Alabama’s Germie Bernard), generated buzz with a project quarterback (Drew Allar) for Mike McCarthy to develop, and finished the night by trading up to secure a fan-favorite, Iowa guard Gennings Dunker, who potentially fills a major need.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy's ability to spot and track other ships.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy’s ability to spot and track other ships.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The three straight home runs in the second stretched the lead to 7-0.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Other trails stretch beyond the giant trees, winding into river canyons and through dense forest.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
