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
But verticals are the work of outsiders: a parallel industry of recent film-school graduates, underemployed tradespeople, and creative laborers who have yet to meet the requirements for membership in Hollywood’s various powerful unions. Joshua Hunt, Vulture, 5 June 2025 The veterans hall’s roof is parallel to St. Louis Avenue, with just a decorative black fence separating the top of the building from traffic. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
Noun
At the same time, in parallel, develop the capabilities to get to Mars. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2025 Even the concept of a play-in tournament, which the Big Ten and SEC have considered setting up on conference championship weekend and selling to a broadcaster for more TV money, has a parallel in Europe. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
Biden's battle with cancer parallels former president Richard Nixon's near-fatal bout of phlebitis just after his August 9, 1974, resignation over the Watergate scandal. Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 Such an officeholder would take on responsibilities that parallel those of the national taxpayer advocate — a position that has existed within the IRS since the mid-1990s — but in the tariff context. Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • During the conversation, the actress floated her theory as to why Full House clicked, and continues to click, with audiences more so than other similar shows of the era.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • The victim’s boyfriend, who was interviewed on the scene, gave police a similar account, according to court documents.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Sizemore sees some similarities in his approach this season.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
  • This further proves how much women really need each other to compare notes and find similarities when going through these health milestones.
    Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The singer donned a completely sheer Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown to promote her new record on Wednesday, June 4, at Rockefeller Center in New York City, accentuating her chic look with matching black underwear and no bra in a risqué, NSFW Instagram post.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • That matches Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar as the fastest active defenseman to that mark.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • What remain enduringly relevant are the book’s insights into the nature of design innovation, which Jencks described as analogous to biological evolution, a constant flow of emergent, divergent, and convergent streams.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • In our model, the flow of traffic over a network of roads is analogous to the flow of fluids over a surface—motions that are governed by the laws of fluid dynamics.
    Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • For a royal family that has often been criticized for being out of touch, this is a great look, and proof that perhaps William’s resemblance to his mother goes beyond his features.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 2 June 2025
  • New York’s start bears resemblance to the 2023 Aces.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • His wife and artistic counterpart, Elaine de Kooning, kept a studio across the narrow harbor in the North West Woods; and Lucy’s mother, Lisa de Kooning, sculpted bronze-cast animals—elephants, cows, rams—many of which still keep watch over the house.
    Alessandra Schade, Vogue, 7 June 2025
  • In the weeks since the fragile detente, Washington has accused Beijing of slow-walking approvals for rare earth exports and reneging on its promise made in Geneva, with Trump expressing increasing urgency to speak to his Chinese counterpart to iron things out.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, no other project of the past half century comes to mind that is comparable to Orozco’s work of the past three decades, with its the complex and contradictory morphologies, operations, materials, and sites.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Setup time should be comparable to that of a standalone instant-pitch screen room, which will also require staking out in windy conditions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • More: Trump still hasn't signed agreements to begin transition of power, White House says The Office of Management of Budget produces the president's annual budgets, implements the president's priorities in the executive branch and coordinates with federal agencies and departments.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 June 2025
  • The answer: Every image is composed of thousands of pixels— coordinates of positions and colors, a coalition of numbers.
    Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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