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
The guy was a national treasure, and ended up parlaying that fame into acting roles in movies (Red Eye), TV shows (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and hosting gigs (Top Shot).
—
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
Deadline is parlaying its industry-leading coverage of the reality television business into a live event.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 1 Apr. 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
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
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
Deadline is parlaying its industry-leading coverage of the reality television business into a live event.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 1 Apr. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlaying
Verb
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Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The same applies to the brilliant turquoise of Turks and Caicos’s water, extending miles beyond its shoreline like an electrified aura.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Without extending the boundary, the same area that was under threat of annexation by Hialeah in 2023 remains at risk.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement that the relocation will improve the Forest Service's mission of managing its forests, saving taxpayers' money and boosting employee recruitment.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Investors and CEOs fantasize about slashing costs and boosting margins; every CIO is pushed to come up with an AI plan, to keep up with competitors.—
Gary Marcus,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Similarly to fossil fuel supply disruptions of the past, the Iran conflict is already accelerating interest in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy independence.—
Brian Lee,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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These dynamics are accelerating structural change across the sector.—
Assef Shaikh,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has said that augmenting the trenches is a priority.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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This is all about augmenting its oncology portfolio ahead of top-selling cancer drug Keytruda losing its patent protection in 2028.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is a developing story that will be updated to add new information.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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By Easter Sunday, another cold front will approach the region with a line of showers and storms developing ahead of it.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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At Fourth and Bainbridge streets in the Queen Village neighborhood, drivers are slowing, stopping and swerving to avoid two large potholes stretching across the roadway.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlaying. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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