PARALLELS Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

parallels 1 of 2

noun

plural of parallel

as in similarities

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in equivalents

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

parallels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of parallel

as in matches

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 parallels

Noun

The obvious comparison with Anthony Gordon has been made by pundits and there are parallels with the adaptable forward Newcastle sold to Barcelona in May for up to €80million. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 While the factual circumstances differ, there are notable parallels between social-media apps and sports-betting apps. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The history of computer science suggests a more nuanced interplay between the profound and the practical, one that also has parallels in other disciplines. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 The parallels helped establish esports’ legitimacy and gave non-gamers a familiar framework for understanding the competition. — Erica D. Henn, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 Researchers who study gambling psychology say the parallels between these formats and traditional games of chance go deeper than the platform acknowledges. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 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 The character Maisie has parallels with a childhood best friend of mine. — Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 Yet instead of reckoning with the parallels, right-wing pastors were urging Christians to emulate the intensity and all-in dedication of the jihadists. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said UMMA’s growth parallels the needs of the city and its neighbors as both evolve. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Another episode, in which the pals attempt to win an award for best bar, parallels the comedy’s perpetual shutout from the Emmy Awards. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 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 Al-Zaidi’s visit parallels a trip by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last November, when the White House announced hundreds of billions of dollars in private and public commitments by the two countries. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 15 July 2026 Modern parallels The Progressive Era was a response to the Gilded Age driven by the late 19th century industrial revolution. — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Attorneys suing Lozano say her rise parallels an exponential increase in visa applications for trafficking and domestic abuse cases. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 Trump administration alleges ‘rampant fraud’ Attorneys suing Lozano say her rise parallels an exponential increase in visa applications for trafficking and domestic abuse cases. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallels

Noun

In a clip from the upcoming season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul discusses with her castmates what happened at the Bachelor mansion and the similarities between the winner and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
While this team has a lot of similarities and a lot of the same personnel as the one that reached the title game in January, the Hurricanes still saw a lot of turnover.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of similarities

Noun

Down the line, the cofounders will eventually add in affiliate links from programs like ShopMy and other equivalents.

— Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
OpenRouter's Justin Summerville told the network that open Chinese models can run 60% to 90% cheaper than the leading Anthropic and OpenAI equivalents.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of equivalents

Noun

To make the resemblances convincing, Gethings recruited participants by complementing their standout features and promising to accentuate them with the help of hair and makeup stylists in a studio setting.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Most of the film’s other resemblances, of which there are many, prove less distressing.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of resemblances

Noun

And while the hotel was certainly a different kind of spectacle—tamer and more refined than its Cafe counterparts—there was always another corner left to discover, or a new extension to look forward to on the next visit.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of counterparts

Noun

Brand fans have spotted the pieces on everyone from colleagues to Hailey Bieber and Taylor Swift, and Dorsey is now an eight-figure business, according to the company.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
In 2023, Tinsley and colleagues at Texas Tech published another study examining EHP Labs’ ready-to-drink thermogenic beverage, OxyShred Ultra Energy.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of colleagues

Noun

Google says this will display the location's coordinates on both Android and iPhone.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Tai’s platform coordinates shipment lifecycle across truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL), drayage as well as cross-border operations.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of coordinates

Noun

Philanthropy takes center stage Organizers vowed to work with nonprofit partners to put the grants toward their most urgent and underresourced needs.

— James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
People who work with the investor credit his business acumen, low-key demeanor and daunting work ethic, qualities that have attracted partners, founders and mentors alike — including Iger.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of partners

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parallelism

parallels

paralysis

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“Parallels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallels. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of parallels

noun

verb

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