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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The executive director of Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District provided a statement, saying the wharf is evolving, new businesses are opening, and the area is expanding in ways that make Fisherman's Wharf more accessible and engaging.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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These are jobs not created, customers not served, communities that don’t reap the benefits of expanding local business.—
Walter Rowen,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Also in Lake County, the City of Groveland went through a similar process last year with over 69% of voters choosing to support an ordinance extending council terms from two years to four years and impose term limits for council members and the city’s mayor.—
James Wilkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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As survivors watch lawmakers lock horns over the Iran war and the record-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown, some worry extending disaster tax relief will be de-prioritized.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The job cuts arrived just weeks after activist investor Irenic Capital Management took a stake in the company and called for swift changes to improve its financial performance, including a recommendation that Snap cut its workforce in hopes of boosting the stock price.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Over the years, Hershey has taken a turn toward snacks other than chocolate or candy, boosting its brands with salty snacks from pretzels to popcorn, and diversifying its business to keep up with consumer habits.—
David P. Willis,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The accelerating adoption of AI is also leading to mishaps.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The practice has often come under fire for destabilizing markets and accelerating sharp sell-offs during bouts of extreme volatility and pushing vulnerable companies into distress.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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South Korea is increasing generation at its nuclear plants and speeding up maintenance at five offline reactors, with restarts planned in May.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Bolivia is low on cash after making more than $500 million in debt payments last month, increasing the urgency of reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund.—
Sergio Mendoza,
Bloomberg,
16 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 and will be updated.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The two companies are now developing a full-length Gummibär feature film scheduled for 2027.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video footage shows motorists in the southeast African country of Mozambique waiting for hours at fuel stations as shortages grip the country, with lines of traffic stretching for blocks and drivers traveling between multiple stations in search of petrol or diesel.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
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The move represented the shattering of a tradition of bipartisan support for public broadcasting stretching back more than a half-century.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlaying. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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