parallel 1 of 3

parallel

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noun

parallel

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective parallel contrast with its synonyms?

The words analogous and similar are common synonyms of parallel. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

When can analogous be used instead of parallel?

In some situations, the words analogous and parallel are roughly equivalent. However, analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

When would similar be a good substitute for parallel?

While the synonyms similar and parallel are close in meaning, 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 parallel
Adjective
The army’s investigation and a parallel one by the Shin Bet counterintelligence agency lay out those bodies’ mistakes. Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 In 1852, Congress appropriated $15,000 for Waukegan Harbor improvements that included a breakwater with an elevated catwalk parallel to the shore to protect the harbor, in addition to navigation aids. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Minimally Viable Product and Minimally Viable Communication Several parallels can be found between product development and message development. Matt Abrahams, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025 Massive parallel testing means Volvo can work through lots of unusual scenarios. Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Read David Cole, one of the attorneys who defended them, on how that case parallels the government’s current treatment of Mahmoud Khalil » Israeli air strikes killed hundreds in Gaza early on Tuesday morning, according to officials there. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2025 National extremes The chasm between noteworthy raises and loftier cost-of-living growth across the nation often paralleled the broader economic patterns during these four years. Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie recently expressed similar thoughts, saying Phoenix’s star power makes the Suns impossible to ignore.
    Doug Haller, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the themes the shows touch on are also similar.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Cuomo, the speaker and the mayor have similarities as moderate Democrats running on their past achievements and attempting to appeal to a core base of Black, outer-borough voters.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Ferguson’s initial struggles have more similarities to the loan deals for midfielders Alex Kral and Kalvin Phillips, both of whom failed to impress during their brief stints in east London.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When actions do not match expectations, credibility fades.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Eovaldi tied a Rangers club record with nine strikeouts on Opening Day, matching Lance Lynn’s performance against the Rockies in 2020, and limited the Red Sox to just three hits over six innings.
    Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The league maintains the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third, Seventh, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits have held that consumers in analogous situations to Salazar suffered no concrete harm when the transmission was non-public.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Nothing in the founding-era legal landscape is analogous to the challenged law.
    Dara Kam, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The form bears a slight resemblance to the Looney Tunes character Roadrunner.
    Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The chef noted that people are quick to claim that their family members share a resemblance with him.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • He was joined by his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other officials at Saturday's Reunion of Honor event.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
  • However, even Europe's largest funds can't match their U.S. counterparts.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This blood test has an accuracy rate comparable to that of stool tests.
    Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The Rio Outdoor Teak Sofa costs $1,999, a price comparable to similar retailers like Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs.
    Stewart Savin, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The drone crew relayed the howitzers’ coordinates to a nearby Ukrainian battery apparently equipped with High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
    David Axe, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Once within range, Athena will begin a breaking maneuver called Powered Descent Initiation (PDI), firing up and throttling its landing engine until the spacecraft reaches about a mile away from its touchdown coordinates in Mons Mouton.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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