as in expanding
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 parlaying
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
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
Robbins broke out as a motivational speaker sensation in the mid-90’s, parlaying his program into transformational programs, immersive experiences and executive education.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Doan credits their swift success to his cofounder’s knack for parlaying Vietnam’s thousand-year heritage in textile arts and crafts into propositions with a modern sensibility.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Pressly did, too, parlaying the success as an Astro into a place within franchise lore.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The cap will restrict the amount wagered on individual pitches before they are delivered – ball, strike and pitch velocity – while banning parlaying each pitch result during a game.
—David Close, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Raquel is resourceful and has made the best of her situation, parlaying the social capital of being a firefighter’s widow into a lucrative career as a grief influencer and star of Black Veil, a reality series dedicated to helping widows find their own second chances at love.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Staub is now reportedly parlaying that performance into a start this Friday against Houston in Colorado’s Big 12 opener.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 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
Robbins broke out as a motivational speaker sensation in the mid-90’s, parlaying his program into transformational programs, immersive experiences and executive education.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Doan credits their swift success to his cofounder’s knack for parlaying Vietnam’s thousand-year heritage in textile arts and crafts into propositions with a modern sensibility.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Pressly did, too, parlaying the success as an Astro into a place within franchise lore.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The cap will restrict the amount wagered on individual pitches before they are delivered – ball, strike and pitch velocity – while banning parlaying each pitch result during a game.
—David Close, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Raquel is resourceful and has made the best of her situation, parlaying the social capital of being a firefighter’s widow into a lucrative career as a grief influencer and star of Black Veil, a reality series dedicated to helping widows find their own second chances at love.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Staub is now reportedly parlaying that performance into a start this Friday against Houston in Colorado’s Big 12 opener.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlaying
Verb
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In practice, that means the Commission is wary of big mergers, unless they are paired with social taxes — protecting jobs, expanding network coverage in poorer areas and ensuring the Black majority benefits.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI has spent the last few years expanding its tools into standalone products.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ahead of a meeting in Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's foreign ministers would discuss possibly extending a naval mission that protects ships in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, without giving any details.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
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Carlsbad is extending a temporary art program begun in 2019 that places colorfully painted, oversized beach chairs in public places around the city.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The vast majority was spent by a pro-cryptocurrency PAC, Fairshake, on ads attacking Stratton, but some was also spent on ads supporting Krishnamoorthi and, in an effort to drive Black voters away from Stratton, boosting Kelly.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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According to internal documents, the agency is planning to buy and retrofit 24 commercial warehouses, boosting its detention capacity to more than 92,000 beds in a matter of months.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This backlog underscores Patel’s assertion about the accelerating threat.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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The idea is to use those models to identify patterns across genes and ecosystems that would be difficult for humans to detect—potentially accelerating discoveries in areas like drug development.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of the biggest concerns for consumers is that an increasing number of data centers could hit them financially.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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Among those saying the deal doesn’t go far enough are Ticketmaster competitors who have had to offer increasing protections for venues that chose them over Live Nation.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Artificial intelligence, often seen as a centrifugal force, could become a centripetal one for Europe—augmenting not only productivity, but collective intelligence.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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While the upcoming week looks dry across Central Texas, there are signs of a wetter pattern developing toward the end of March and into early April.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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Companies developing power plants are also poised to be big winners in the boom.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This long ball goes to the No 9, with Nmecha stretching the defence through a run behind.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Rolling hills carpeted in bluebonnets stretching as far as the eye can see.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlaying. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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