Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective analogous contrast with its synonyms?

The words parallel and similar are common synonyms of analogous. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

When can parallel be used instead of analogous?

While the synonyms parallel and analogous are close in meaning, parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

When is it sensible to use similar instead of analogous?

The synonyms similar and analogous are sometimes interchangeable, but similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other.

all the houses in the development are similar

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of analogous If the lasting narrative of unproven interference in 2020 is that illegitimate ballots were ferried in and dumped in drop boxes, the analogous plot in 2024 appears to be that vast numbers of noncitizens will try to vote. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024 Through the first seven SNF broadcasts, NBC is averaging 19.76 million TV viewers per week, down 6% versus 21.12 million in the analogous stretch of the 2023 campaign. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2024 However, CEOs and their trusted CIOs can learn from analogous innovations in other industries to pragmatically steer through the hype and opportunity of smart hospitals. Narinder Singh, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 This new technology is more of a first step than a complete solution—think of it as analogous to drugstore reading glasses rather than prescription lenses. Charley Locke, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for analogous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • And because the two isolated genes are found in many other plant species, similar genetic editing may help improve other agricultural staples in the future.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Eventually our list reaches more than a dozen more victims, nearly all with similar experiences, most of them bursting with a desire to talk.
    Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The decrease is attributed to a decline in comparable store sales and strategic pricing investments.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The box-office success of Tim Burton’s Batman got CBS to open its checkbook to give those fans a comparable network show, and The Flash spared no expense.
    Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Its 69 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and some have private landscaped terraces with wooden trellises sparkling with lights, but no two rooms are alike.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, TIME, 25 July 2024
  • Their cases seemed eerily alike to a lot of people, including Arelie’s sisters.
    Dateline NBC, NBC News, 16 July 2024
Adjective
  • Having two such strong candidates for acting honors could boost The Penguin, but what might end up making the biggest difference is what categories the show will compete in.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • For about a decade residents and city leaders were divided over how to redevelop the area, with some in support of maximizing the number of housing and office spaces and others resistant to adopting such large projects.
    Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near analogous

Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on analogous

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