Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective analogous contrast with its synonyms?

The words parallel and similar are common synonyms of analogous. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

When can parallel be used instead of analogous?

While the synonyms parallel and analogous are close in meaning, parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

When is it sensible to use similar instead of analogous?

The synonyms similar and analogous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 analogous The experts recommend that organizations looking to adopt Manus or analogous systems must take proper precautionary measures including: Keep Humans in the Loop: Never outsource vital decisions to AI. Tor Constantino, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Expert regulatory economists have pointed to analogous benefits to the American economy that would stem from U.S. regulatory reform (which President Trump has made a top priority for his second term). Alden Abbott, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 The other bird has one copy of the standard and one copy of the supergene, analogous to the XY genotype. Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025 Palantir’s stock price this past week seems analogous. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for analogous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogous
Adjective
  • Loyola Chicago took a similar path to the NIT, winning nine of their last 11 games to raise their record from 12-8 to 21-10 before bowing out in the second round of their conference tournament.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The men and women in the study had similar nicotine use, sleep habits, cholesterol levels, and obesity rates.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The most far-reaching version of Trump’s strategy would raise the effective, or average, tariff on U.S. imports to about 20%, comparable to the heavy import duties the nation imposed in the 1930s and that contributed to the Great Depression, Zandi said.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There are several solutions Baltimore could implement immediately to fix its open records process, like creating an online request center comparable to most other large cities.
    John Hart, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Adaptability Is Key No two performances are alike because no two audiences are alike.
    Dr. Jen Donnell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • There were also the Trump women, looking all alike onstage in Farrah Fawcett–style blonde hairdos with a little flip at the end.
    airmail.news, airmail.news, 17 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • And while my four rides in Waymo's Jaguar i-Pace vehicles around Los Angeles last summer didn't feature any such fits of indecisiveness, the cars have had their own confused moments.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • There is no such ban in UEFA competitions or domestically in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands or Belgium.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analogous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogous. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on analogous

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