parallel 1 of 3

parallel

2 of 3

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 major thoroughfare runs parallel to the sea (el mar) and is home to many beachfront rental properties. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 July 2025 As of now, both strategies appear to be running on parallel tracks in Washington. Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Noun
But this being the Freaky universe, there are some real parallels with your lives. Jason Sheeler, People.com, 22 July 2025 Although our settings differed, our experiences shared striking parallels. Timothy Holtz, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
Verb
Crow-Armstrong’s actions parallel a difficult stretch for the Cubs. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 The season parallels the university’s academic year, starting in September and ending in May. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for parallel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel
Adjective
  • This doesn’t come without challenges, especially with junior staff who haven’t weathered similar storms before.
    Philip A. Nardone, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Republican legislators rejected a similar request from Chief Justice Annette Ziegler in the last state budget.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Martian meteorites have been identified through similarities between the composition of gases trapped in the meteorites with measurements of the martian atmosphere by spacecraft.
    Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
  • Yet the similarities between his last two press conferences continues to be apparent to anyone who attended both.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The clip shows a small child bouncing inside a hotel room, a visual that perfectly matches the mom's advice.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Instead, choose plants (especially natives) that match your site’s light, soil, and moisture conditions.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rounding off the league’s national TV offerings is TBS, which is averaging 358,000 viewers per outing with its non-exclusive Tuesday night telecasts, good for a 17% lift compared to the analogous period in 2024.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
  • The judge found that California did not present evidence of any historically analogous laws, finding that the laws the state did cite were not similar enough.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Ironically, despite being billed as Disney’s most lifelike Audio-Animatronic, its face bears little resemblance to Walt's leading to a deluge of excoriating criticism from fans.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • That 42-year-old version of Pacquiao, who needed stitches for more than one cut on his face, bore little resemblance to the buzzsaw that won belts across eight divisions.
    Josh Gross, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • For Hacks, Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs didn't receive any nods, though some of their counterparts like Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder did.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • That’s no longer the case, thanks to innovations like Nova, which deliver impressive results that rival those of their less sustainable counterparts.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • In a recent note on quantum computing, analysts at Bank of America had to reach way back—way, way back—for a comparable advancement in human history.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 July 2025
  • Burberry’s overall group revenues declined 1% year-on-year on a comparable basis to £433 million ($ 582million) in the June quarter, compared with the 3% decline analysts had forecast in a company compiled consensus.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Precise Location and Motion Data: GPS coordinates and motion data reveal the speed of the vehicle as recorded by the phone, and can be used as evidence as to which lane a truck was traveling in.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Advertisement Gabby’s parents got her a phone in seventh grade to help the family coordinate pickups from multiple different sports practices.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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