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
Neil Sedaka, an irrepressible songsmith who parlayed his compositional skills into pop stardom during the height of the Brill Building era in the 1960s and later staged an easy-listening comeback in the 1970s, has died at age 86.
—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
After making a fortune in software and parlaying that into telecoms and a raft of tech ventures, Son is now pivoting SoftBank’s $180 billion war chest into artificial intelligence (AI) with unbridled zeal.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
The Manchester native parlayed his reputation into multiple appearances on the E!
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
That didn’t stop him from parlaying his celebrity into raising awareness for ALS, a rare condition for which there is currently no cure.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
After making a fortune in software and parlaying that into telecoms and a raft of tech ventures, Son is now pivoting SoftBank’s $180 billion war chest into artificial intelligence (AI) with unbridled zeal.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
The Manchester native parlayed his reputation into multiple appearances on the E!
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
That didn’t stop him from parlaying his celebrity into raising awareness for ALS, a rare condition for which there is currently no cure.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlay
Verb
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The bill expanded background checks for gun purchasers under the age of 21 and also provided federal money for state red flag laws.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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The flagship Semafor World Economy, anchored in Washington DC, is the largest annual gathering of top global CEOs in North America, and Semafor’s convening on emerging economies, The Next Three Billion, is held annually at UNGA and expanded this year to South Africa, East Africa, and UAE.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hotel dining venues occasionally extend their hours to accommodate theatergoers spilling out of the Majestic Theatre across the street.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Duval County School Board will vote on holding a November referendum to extend a 1-mill property tax.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company has launched a pilot project at its Leipzig plant and established a new Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production to accelerate the global integration of robotics and artificial intelligence.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
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But war with Iran has accelerated those normal increases, and the impact on prices at pump will be readily apparently in just a matter of days.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the serum, shop the hair oil and shine-boosting shampoo and conditioner that Moore also used.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
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Dai-Keller recommends fresh or frozen fruit added to yogurt to boost antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s increasing willingness to use overwhelming military force to pursue American interests abroad throws that calculus into question.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
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City records from November show police planned to install six more cameras and increase lighting.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Ukraine never developed a defense against ballistic missiles.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Connecticut has been known for its tightknit and long-lasting hardcore scene, which began in the 1980s and had developed a solid core community by the early ‘90s.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These goals and hopes will set you on a journey that augments your current situation.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
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So the Rams could augment the position group in free agency or the draft.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Between Split and Trogir stretches the Kastela Riviera, a chain of small and charming coastal towns facing a sheltered bay.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
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That design continues across its three decks, stretching all the way to the beach club, which is home to fold-out wings for even more lounging space onboard.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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