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
The contest came down to a crucial turnover from Victor Wembanyama, parlayed with free throws from Brunson, who ultimately won the game 105-104 for the Knicks.
—
Leocciano Callao,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The drinks are the young Trumps' latest foray into the family business of parlaying their name and wealth into new branding opportunities as the president serves out his second term.
—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Leocciano Callao,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The drinks are the young Trumps' latest foray into the family business of parlaying their name and wealth into new branding opportunities as the president serves out his second term.
—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlay
Verb
-
The council would then examine the details surrounding the change before passing an ordinance expanding those voting rights.
-
Since then, the United States has expanded from 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast to 50 states stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and beyond.
Verb
-
The global index provider extended Indonesia’s status as an emerging market after freezing the country’s stocks in its indexes in January, citing investability concerns.
-
Tuesday’s ruling declares the case a class action and extends the order nationwide.
Verb
-
The government is also working with private developers, banks and the real estate sector to accelerate temporary and permanent housing solutions.
-
Years of crippling sanctions have paralysed the economy as accelerating bouts of mass nationwide protests have been put down by security forces with increasing force — culminating in the killing of thousands of demonstrators in January.
Verb
-
Trump has taken an active role to boost the $TRUMP meme coin, a type of cryptocurrency.
-
But boosting manufacturing is not just a matter of building factories.
Verb
-
The state also has goals, including some that have been in place since 2012, that set declining limits on smog-causing pollutants and required automakers to sell increasing percentages of electric and hybrid vehicles through 2025.
-
The news came a day before Liz reported on Hong Kong’s beleaguered cinema market finally having an upturn, with overall box office revenues increasing by 25% thanks to a strong line-up of local and Hollywood releases.
Verb
-
As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.
-
However, treatment given soon after exposure can prevent the infection from developing.
Verb
-
About 100 shots in the film were augmented with AI, Erwin said, using a combination of platforms that aggregate AI tools such as Luma, Amazon’s Project Nara and Magnific.
-
Returns from European or Asian equities, when translated back into dollars, receive a currency tailwind that can meaningfully augment local-currency performance.
Verb
-
Autumn is when the crowds thin and your dollar stretches further.
-
Dozens of people sat in lawn chairs in front of the big screen, cheering as the Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem played, while others stood in a long line that stretched out of the front door to buy cakes, pastries and pitas.
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
