PARALLEL Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

parallel 1 of 3

adjective

ˈper-ə-ˌlel

Definition of parallel

as in similar

having qualities in common parallel lives of two friends who first met in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

parallel

2 of 3

noun

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

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

However, the Geekbench benchmark and our battery rundown test are comparable across platforms, offering at least a glimpse into how individual Googlebooks compare with parallel MacBooks and Windows laptops. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 Researchers report that the system achieved 98% efficiency for both hydrogen generation and the parallel epoxide-producing reaction. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

By her own admission, the preludes and parallels of a musical composition are woven into the very structure of the novel. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026 The hurricane’s center swirled parallel to the coast, closing in on the Puerto Vallarta area, where its most damaging winds and rain were expected to hit around midnight and continue through Monday morning. — Fernando Llano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Verb

Yet despite the spooky parallels, Harrelson’s ghost very nearly cost Zada the part. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 The film parallels the trauma of a broken body with that of a broken home. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parallel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel

Adjective

Recent court cases have used similar arguments, framing social media to judges and jurors as defective products causing children harm.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Then-first lady Jill Biden pursued similar efforts to jump-start women's health research, and Biden officials in November 2023 launched their own White House effort intended to coordinate a cross-government response to boost women's health.

— Dan Diamond, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of similar

Noun

Unfortunately, the government then spends the equivalent of 24% of GDP on its various programs.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Sceye’s platform carried the equivalent of a 4G LTE base station for the demonstration, which simulated providing backup coverage in the case of an earthquake or similar large-scale disaster.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of equivalent

Verb

But on closer inspection, the radiation pattern didn’t seem to quite match that of a nuke.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The signage gap matches recent polling, which shows Talarico, a four-term state representative, either tied or several points ahead of Paxton, who has never lost an election in 25 years.

— Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of match

Adjective

Canada retaliated with its own set of near-analogous duties on more than $20 billion in American goods in early September.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Bayzo's pub is analogous to an English tavern, with creamy cups of clam chowder and a piano likely to launch you into Elton John renditions.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of analogous

Noun

Shaw first gained national attention in 2020 with TikToks claiming to be related to Jim Carrey due to her uncanny resemblance and rubbery facial features.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Mason was confirmed as the winner of Paul’s Bachelorette season when, in season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul and her co-star Jessi Draper discussed Mason’s resemblance to Paul’s ex, Dakota Mortensen.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Noun

Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
In more recent times, moreover, the first steps taken by the Third Reich toward the Holocaust began with the economic boycott of the Jews, who were accused of harming the businesses and positions of their Aryan counterparts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of counterpart

Adjective

The man at the centre of the story eventually represents a level of power comparable to that of the state.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Except for the shift in timing and this year’s sale lasting one day longer, the sale itself was comparable year-over-year.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of comparable

Browse Nearby Words

paragraphers

parallel

paralleled

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Style

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of parallel

adjective

noun

verb

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