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

The Basel show traces the roots of Cao’s interest in simulation, as manifested in the parallel realities, generational longing, and everyday social theater experienced by young people during China’s early-2000s boom. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 On paper, the January agreement between Damascus and the SDF provides a framework for resolving informal wartime boundaries and closed routes and for harmonizing competing duties and parallel systems of governance. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

Echoes of the dot-com era There are easy parallels to draw between the dot-com boom and the current AI boom. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 This means footrests extending out at the level of the rear hub and two handgrip bars running parallel to the bench seating. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Drawing parallels, the article suggests modern leaders can adopt Shackleton's strategies, enhanced by AI tools like ChatGPT. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The vice president’s first book is Hillbilly Elegy, a title that closely parallels Appalachian Elegy, a poetry collection by the radical Black feminist author bell hooks. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for parallel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel

Adjective

Newlight projects annual savings of roughly $500,000 for similar ships.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
German power infrastructure has previously been affected under similar circumstances.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of similar

Noun

He is best known for introducing the idea of dynamical similarity to cosmological systems — a mathematical realization of philosophical principles in physics.

— Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
There is no historical source that puts the similarity between the two diadems in writing.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of similarity

Noun

Diskin, Easo, Radhakrishnan, Sudakov, and Tassion were trying to work out something fundamental about how graphs — networks of points connected by lines, or edges — can be taken over by large connected areas, the equivalent of pools of fluid.

— Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
California Cruise is close to the European equivalent of the Tourer 4Motion camper van Volkswagen already announced for the US market.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of equivalent

Verb

Williams ripped off a 49-yard kickoff return in the first preseason game, and that matched his tape from last year.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The soft, stretchy fabric moves with you across terminals without bunching or binding, and because the top and bottom are already matched, getting dressed at the crack of dawn requires zero thought.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of match

Adjective

Astronomers are finding that in between the brightest stars, the 'tallest skyscrapers' in the above analogy, there are much fainter stars analogous to smaller buildings.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026
War weariness on the rise Ukrainian experts say the logic of hitting largely consumer targets is in part retribution for analogous Russian attacks, and that disrupted supply chains affect the military as well.

— Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of analogous

Noun

For his part, Breen says that both dates are false and that the yearbook picture (which bears a striking resemblance to him) is a different person.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
And yes, most everyone will call it the Batmobile, as the resemblance certainly warrants it.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Noun

There are lots of brands that have worked to give us beautiful soft mattes that glide onto lids and don’t feel patchy or heavy like their previous counterparts.

— Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
Their counterparts, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), have not said anything to mark six months of the war.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of counterpart

Adjective

Guarducci also noted the strength of the market, adding that Beverly Hills restaurants can generate volumes 20 to 30 percent higher than comparable New York locations.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Predicting Murray’s ceiling in Minnesota is comparable to predicting the weather.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of parallel

adjective

noun

verb

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