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 The most recent analogous period is the 1930s, when such an approach emerged in several countries. Ray Dalio, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024 Or: Joints laced with opioids are analogous to politicians laced with medical ignorance. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024 Examples of analogous colors are red and red-orange, or blue and blue-green. Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024 Per MoffettNathanson analysis, affiliate fees fell 6% in the second quarter, good for a loss of $566 million compared to the analogous period in 2023. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for analogous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • This faux-shearling coat from Gap has slim lines and a single row of buttons, similar to what Holmes wore, but in all-black.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Concerns have been voiced within the community regarding the paint schemes for the team's No. 6 and No. 60 cars under the Castrol sponsorship, which resulted in similar looks for each vehicle, allegedly diminishing their individual identities.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Rural states like West Virginia have life expectancies akin to those in developing nations, while wealthier states like California boast outcomes comparable to European ones.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Lululemon China Sales As a result, the company has turned to China for growth, which so far has helped lift sales across the overall business and because of that company-wide comparable sales grew 4% during the quarter.
    Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 9 Dec. 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
  • As such, this shift in responsibility would involve building a company culture where growth in AI is congruent with maintaining an awareness of its differentiation from IT.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The warning applies to what Google considers as being inactive, and as such impacted by changes to the inactive account policy that became active as of Dec. 1, 2023.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near analogous

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on analogous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!