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
As Johnson shared during the Spurs’ media availability on Tuesday, this group, which didn’t make the playoffs last year, has shown the ability to parlay belief into elite basketball all season.
—
Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Players including Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Cobi Jones and Marcelo Balboa parlayed that fame into broadcasting careers.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate, is challenging Goldman from the left, seeking to parlay an endorsement from the city’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, into a House seat.
—Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Season three sees Demie’s character parlay her new-age instincts into a career as an OnlyFans talent manager.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Players including Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Cobi Jones and Marcelo Balboa parlayed that fame into broadcasting careers.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate, is challenging Goldman from the left, seeking to parlay an endorsement from the city’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, into a House seat.
—Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Season three sees Demie’s character parlay her new-age instincts into a career as an OnlyFans talent manager.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlay
Verb
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Ulbrich envisions Walker expanding his leadership role on the defense as well with Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata no longer in the building.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The backstory What started as a private project, owned by former TAP Air pilot Gonçalo Pessoa and wife Patrícia Trigo, has expanded over the years to become arguably the most talked about resort in Portugal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The Orioles made those big moves in signing Pete Alonso and trading for and extending Shane Baz.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Organizers and attendees use these celebrations as a reminder that love and acceptance should extend beyond a single month.—
Amari Riley
June 16,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Britain's revolving door of prime minister, affecting both Labour and Conservative parties, accelerated in the wake of the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union economic bloc.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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And the pace of technology change is only accelerating.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
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The couple had their second baby late last year, with support from a program launched by the government in 2013 to boost Parsi numbers.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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This herb may boost the immune system’s response to certain infections, including upper respiratory infections and skin infections.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Your visibility increases with the start of Cancer season.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
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Health officials said the risk of exposure could increase as summer travel ramps up and Los Angeles welcomes international visitors for FIFA World Cup events being held in the region.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Both Kodiak and Aurora are developing self-driving trucks with traditional driver’s components like a steering wheel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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The new look, developed with branding firm Turner Duckworth, moves Sam’s Club into a brighter blue, a lowercase wordmark and a diamond that now does more than decorate the name.—
Gabriel Alin Zainescu,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The technology is designed to act as a co-pilot, augmenting rather than replacing the training, professionalism and instinct of experienced emergency personnel.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Taiwan’s indigenous people –– who nowadays make up just a tiny proportion of the island’s population –– are believed to be the ancestors of many of the groups who came to inhabit lands stretching from Hawaii and Easter Island in the eastern Pacific, to Madagascar, off the coast of east Africa.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The perk here is that the material holds up to cold weather by stretching and expanding without breaking, requiring fewer repairs and resource use.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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