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Showing results for parallel.
Definitions

parallel

[par-uh-lel, -luhl] / ˈpær əˌlɛl, -ləl /
ADJECTIVE
aligned, side-by-side
Synonyms
STRONG
coordinate lateral
WEAK
alongside coextending coextensive equidistant extending equally in the same direction laterally never meeting running alongside
Antonyms
WEAK
crooked different dissimilar divergent separate skewed zigzag
ADJECTIVE
akin, similar
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analogous comparable complementary identical
STRONG
agnate conforming consonant correspondent corresponding equal like matching resembling uniform
WEAK
alike
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dissimilar unalike unequal unlike unrelated
STRONG
different inconsistent
WEAK
crooked divergent separate skewed zigzag
NOUN
complement, correlation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analogy comparison corollary resemblance similarity
STRONG
analogue correlate correspondence correspondent counterpart double duplicate duplication equal equivalent kin likeness match parallelism twin
WEAK
countertype homologue
Antonyms
STRONGEST
difference dissimilarity unlikeness
WEAK
divergence opposite reverse
VERB
be alike
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complement correlate correspond imitate
STRONG
agree assimilate collimate collocate compare conform copy equal equate liken match paragon parallelize
WEAK
keep pace
Antonyms
STRONGEST
differ
STRONG
disagree imbalance refuse
WEAK
distort diverge separate skew

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead of placing the anode and cathode parallel to each other, the new design positions them perpendicular.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

Wall squats involve putting your back against a wall and lowering down into a sitting position using your hips until the thighs are parallel to the ground.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The closest parallel — absent that above-referenced self-immolation — was in 1998.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

"The mistake was not globalization. The mistake was in not preparing for the consequences of globalization," he said, drawing a parallel with the deindustrialization that followed the offshoring wave of the 2000s.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

She swam parallel to the sharks, just another creature in the ocean.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Vocabulary lists containing parallel

Human Geography - Middle School

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"What Is the Horror Genre?" Vocabulary from the literary criticism

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Human Geography - High School

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!