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

Example 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 Nothing in the founding-era legal landscape is analogous to the challenged law. Dara Kam, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025 Harmonious or analogous colors are those that appear next to one another on the color wheel, such as red and orange, orange and yellow, yellow and green, green and blue, blue and violet and violet and red. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 The experts recommend that organizations looking to adopt Manus or analogous systems must take proper precautionary measures including: Keep Humans in the Loop: Never outsource vital decisions to AI. Tor Constantino, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Expert regulatory economists have pointed to analogous benefits to the American economy that would stem from U.S. regulatory reform (which President Trump has made a top priority for his second term). Alden Abbott, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • The apparel industry can adopt similar practices by integrating real-time data analytics and supplier quality management and enhancing supplier collaboration to reduce lead times and minimize stockouts.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Soon, police came for the families of gang members, for people whose tattoos looked similar to those of gang members, for people with any tattoos.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One league executive said Malonga’s talent is comparable to presumptive No. 1 pick, UConn star Paige Bueckers, even if her public profile isn’t.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • When looking at gaming, the gender split for recent Super Mario Bros game releases was comparable to that of its feature film.
    Brad Adgate, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Why Open Networks Make Sense Supply chains are deeply complex, and no two systems are alike.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Adaptability Is Key No two performances are alike because no two audiences are alike.
    Dr. Jen Donnell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The interviewer then asked Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, if such statements undermine the Fed’s role as an apolitical institution.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration has repeatedly refuted the idea that any classified information was shared in the first known chat thread; however, several former U.S. officials have contended that the sharing of such information over unapproved channels could at a minimum put troops overseas at risk.
    Luis Martinez, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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