parallel 1 of 3

adjective

ˈper-ə-ˌlel How to pronounce parallel (audio)
Definition of parallelnext
as in similar
having qualities in common parallel lives of two friends who first met in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

parallel

2 of 3

noun

1
as in similarity
a point which two or more things share in common her professor pointed out some parallels between the two novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value an advance that is without parallel in the history of virology

Synonyms & Similar Words

parallel

3 of 3

verb

as in to match
to be the exact counterpart of developments in the television show paralleled those in the lead actor's real life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Grenoble prosecutor Étienne Manteaux said the suspect, Jacques Leveugle, also acknowledged killing his mother and aunt, prompting a parallel investigation. —Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 But a parallel requirement that federal officers wear badges and identify themselves was allowed to stand. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
In fact, Obama’s legislative accomplishments have been so sticky that Republicans’ new health care idea is to create a parallel, MAHA version of the ACA. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026 The parallels between Gorman’s and Barra’s experiences are clear. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
To show how human and animal lives parallel each other, whether thriving upon the bounties of a healthy ecosystem or impacted by change, Kotevska focuses on Nikola Conev and his extended family. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 Public health The fight over clean energy funding parallels another legal battle in North Texas focused on air quality monitoring. —Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
  1. similar
  2. similarity
  3. equivalent
  4. match
  5. analogous
  6. resemblance
  7. counterpart
  8. comparable
Adjective
  • Before Thursday night’s ceremony, Stafford walked the red carpet with his wife and daughters, the young girls all wearing similar dresses.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of similar
Noun
  • This case bears similarities to the trials of James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose then-15-year-old son killed four students in 2021 at his high school in Oxford, Michigan.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • There is no uniform answer to this question, as both metals, despite their vast similarities, also have some critical differences that investors will need to navigate.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of similarity
Noun
  • Booking a room at this hotel in the Nairobi suburbs at the end of a safari is the travel equivalent of leaving yourself a gift under the tree to open at the end of Christmas Day.
    — Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The practice is dangerous and largely unregulated, with workers often paid the equivalent of about $18 to $24 for a 10-hour shift.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Verb
  • According to the researchers, even a few kilometers of difference allows interior models of Jupiter to better match both gravity data and atmospheric observations.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Heading into 2026 the Red Sox look capable of at least matching last year’s club, which finished third in the AL East, made the playoffs and lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of match
Adjective
  • The possibility of the Justice Department releasing the emails upon Congressional order seven years later would have been an unlikely scenario for Karp to imagine, though ironically there was an analogous set of circumstances in the Gruden case.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Inoculation theory proposes that psychological inoculation – analogous to getting a medical vaccination – can immunize people against persuasive attacks.
    — Bingbing Zhang, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of analogous
Noun
  • From its immense wealth to the stability of its institutions, the United States bears little resemblance to Haiti.
    — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Lee’s home is nestled in the Bordeaux community, a traditionally African American neighborhood in northwest Nashville named for its resemblance to the southwestern French city.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of resemblance
Noun
  • The film also draws major inspiration from the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, a notorious outbreak of anti-Chinese violence in the American West, in which at least 28 Chinese coal miners were killed by their white counterparts.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Momentum in that direction, however, has come at the same time that the party faces a fraught financial gap compared to its GOP counterpart that could end up carrying major implications down the ballot.
    — Hunter Woodall, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of counterpart
Adjective
  • The unit reported 20 quarters of comparable sales growth under his leadership.
    — Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The result is that all the protons and electrons in the star are crushed into neutrons, and the mass of the incredibly dense object remains comparable to the sun, but the size is comparable to a city, as explained by NASA.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of comparable

Browse Nearby Words

paragraphers
parallel
paralleled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on parallel

Nglish: Translation of parallel for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All