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

In a statement to CBS Colorado, the FAA said that a safety risk assessment identified incidents in which aircraft drifted toward other planes departing at the same time on parallel runways. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Nadella recalled a meeting around 2008–09, convened by then-chairman Bill Gates, to review a potential acquisition involving a team working on parallel data warehousing. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

There’s no escaping the parallels between Crown Princess Rajwa of Jordan and Kate Middleton. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 17 Oct. 2026 The two have spent much of the last few years working in political parallel — Raman even endorsed Bass before joining the race herself. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

This shift parallels how electricity eventually transformed business by enabling entirely new capabilities rather than simply replacing candles. — Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Yet despite the spooky parallels, Harrelson’s ghost very nearly cost Zada the part. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parallel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parallel

Adjective

But his planning doesn’t mean that the tax would survive the courts, and in any case, not every billionaire will necessarily make similar arrangements.

— Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Garshick told Prevention that stacking actives carries similar risks.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of similar

Noun

Benson’s death has similarities to other e-bicycle and e-motorcycle incidents, including two deaths in Huntington Beach — that of a 62-year-old Westminster woman on Saturday and a 21-year-old man in July.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Of course, the two men bonded at the time about their most noticeable similarity, comparing notes on how they were treated by other kids in school for being redheads.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of similarity

Noun

This elegant purple is the equivalent of buying a classic Max Mara trench in mulberry instead of tan—streamlined and simple, but with a wink.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026
The company held almost $132 billion in cash, equivalents and short-term investments at the end of June.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of equivalent

Verb

By running her streak to six consecutive games with at least three blocks, Stokes matched the WNBA postseason record set by Lisa Leslie in 2003.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Investigators swabbed the home for DNA, and in 2019 developed a profile that matched Pollard, court records show.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 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

And more importantly, what is this anxiety so many men feel about their emotions that drives them to torturously invent bodies that bear little resemblance to the human form?

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Noun

Beatrice is Nick’s reflection at Cathcarts, while Smallwood’s counterpart is Serena.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
In another warning sign for Republicans, Kansas’ Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cindy Holscher and Senate nominee Adam Hamilton both narrowly led their Republican counterparts, within the poll’s margin of error.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of counterpart

Adjective

The physiological case for a brief dunk is, by her own account, comparable.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
According to Inception, Mercury 3 is more than 40 times larger than its first-generation model, Mercury 1, while maintaining comparable processing speeds.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of comparable

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paragraphers

parallel

paralleled

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Style

“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parallel. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of parallel

adjective

noun

verb

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