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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Situationist is also expanding its team, with a new office above the new store.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Republican lawmakers are opposed to expanding health care to undocumented immigrants, and particularly ready to attack Democrat efforts to raise new revenues to do so.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Following the river cruise, many of these guests will choose to extend their trips onward into Peru.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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The tornado watch extends through central Oklahoma as well.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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China’s consumer-price growth accelerated to the quickest in over three years and factory deflation moderated again, after a rally in energy markets and as household spending boomed during a later-than-usual Lunar New Year holiday.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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But record-breaking temperatures in recent years have led scientists to question whether the pace of temperature gains is accelerating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 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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Finally, consider augmenting the winter landscape, when roses and many of their companions lie dormant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Broncos’ offensive woes allowed San Jose State to stretch its lead back out to double digits, 67-56, across the next five minutes.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
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The 2nd District stretches from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, setting Thompson up to win his 18th congressional term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlay. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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