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.
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Recent Examples of parlay
Google, though, appears to be the only one that has parlayed its investment into a winning business strategy.
—
Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Sampha parlayed a role as the label’s first intern into a successful recording career there; Tasker was the label’s second intern.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 16 Dec. 2025
That lifelong commitment to knowledge helped make Whitaker a dominant player, who has also parlayed his skills into a job writing questions for the British quiz show University Challenge.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
There was some hope that Brosmer, who parlayed a combination of accuracy and preternatural processing skills into a roster spot out of training camp, might surprise everyone by running an efficient ship on Sunday.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Sampha parlayed a role as the label’s first intern into a successful recording career there; Tasker was the label’s second intern.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 16 Dec. 2025
That lifelong commitment to knowledge helped make Whitaker a dominant player, who has also parlayed his skills into a job writing questions for the British quiz show University Challenge.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
There was some hope that Brosmer, who parlayed a combination of accuracy and preternatural processing skills into a roster spot out of training camp, might surprise everyone by running an efficient ship on Sunday.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlay
Verb
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Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hardware proven beyond Earth That validation already extends into space.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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These shifts extend beyond demographics to governance itself.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The researchers emphasized that policy support is crucial for accelerating this transition and building a robust recycling system.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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QatarEnergy would still dwarf competitors, producing 77 million metric tons of LNG annually today and boosting output by 85% in 2027.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The committee approved Lucas’s amendment and approved the recommendation to increase funding for the temporary jail.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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Iwobi’s movement drags Ladislav Krejci wider, increasing the space between the lines and creating a clear passing angle for Calvin Bassey.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Researchers have developed a new type of material that can passively cool buildings and capture water directly from the air – all without energy input.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
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Giving evidence about his spat with Vine, which developed when the 60-year-old speculated whether Barton had a brain injury after his posts about Aluko and Ward, he was stopped by Menary.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Japanese maple trees can also be planted in a container filled with a quality potting mix augmented with compost and sharp sand.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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Intelligent machines augment intelligent humans, driving a geometric expansion of what humans can do.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, which represents hundreds of air cargo companies, said flight reductions will worsen the disruption already being felt across the aviation sector as the federal government shutdown stretches on.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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