parallels

8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for parallels, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Similarities or points of close resemblance between two things that are otherwise separate.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

similarities correspondences analogies likenesses echoes matches mirrors corresponds to

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Similarities or points of close resemblance between two things that are otherwise separate.

“Historians have drawn parallels between the two financial crashes.”

similarities correspondences analogies likenesses echoes

Opposites

differences contrasts

2. verb

Matches or corresponds closely to something else.

“His career parallels that of his father almost exactly.”

matches mirrors corresponds to echoes

How to use parallels

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

draw parallels striking parallels close parallel historical parallels parallel lines

Neutral; common in journalism, history and academic writing.

Etymology

From Greek parallēlos, from para- 'beside' and allēlois 'one another', so literally 'beside each other'.

Full origin of parallels →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between parallels and similarities?

They overlap, but a parallel usually implies a structured, point-by-point resemblance between two whole situations, while a similarity can be a single shared feature. You draw parallels between two wars; you notice a similarity between two shirts.

What does 'draw parallels' mean?

It means to point out the ways in which two separate things resemble each other. The phrase does not claim the two things are the same, only that comparing them is useful.

What is the 38th parallel?

It is the line of latitude 38 degrees north of the equator, best known as the approximate dividing line between North and South Korea.

Nearby words

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