Find Antonyms

parallel Antonyms

Opposite of parallel

Because the opposite of parallel shifts with each meaning, the 21 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 9 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Extending in the same direction, remaining the same distance apart at every point, and never meeting or intersecting (of lines, planes, or surfaces).

Usage Example

"The railroad tracks consist of two perpendicular steel rails mounted on wooden ties."

Strongest
perpendicular
intersecting
Strong
convergent
divergent
oblique

• noun (Context 2)

A person, situation, or event that is very similar to another, or a point of similarity or comparison between two things.

Usage Example

"Historians often draw parallels between the decline of the Roman Empire and modern geopolitical shifts."

Strongest
contrast
antithesis
Strong
opposite
difference

• adjective (Context 3)

Occurring or existing at the same time or in a closely similar way; corresponding in structure, development, or tendency.

Usage Example

"Two independent research teams conducted divergent studies on the effects of sleep deprivation."

Strongest
divergent
Strong
unrelated
dissimilar
sequential

• verb (Context 4)

To be similar, corresponding, or analogous to something in development, nature, or structure; to equal or match.

Usage Example

"The protagonist's emotional journey closely parallels the author's own experiences during her youth."

Strong
diverge
differ
contrast
contradict

• adverb (Context 5)

In a direction or position that is equidistant at all points from another line or surface; alongside.

Usage Example

"The narrow country road runs perpendicularly to the coastline for several miles."

Strongest
perpendicularly
Strong
obliquely

• verb (Context 6)

To extend in a direction that is side by side and equidistant from a path, border, or geographical feature.

Usage Example

"The scenic hiking trail parallels the mountain stream for nearly three kilometers before climbing the ridge."

Strongest
intersect
Strong
cross

• adjective (Context 7)

Involving the simultaneous processing of multiple data streams or connected along separate paths so that electric current divides between them (in computing and electronics).

Usage Example

"Modern supercomputers rely on serial processing to solve complex climate simulations rapidly."

Strongest
serial
sequential

• noun (Context 8)

Each of the imaginary circles on the Earth's surface running parallel to the equator, used to mark degrees of latitude.

Usage Example

"The border between the two territories was established along the 49th meridian."

Strong
meridian

• noun (Context 9)

A line or surface that extends in the same direction as another and remains equidistant from it at all points.

Usage Example

"Using a ruler and compass, the geometry student drew an exact perpendicular to the base of the triangle."

Strongest
perpendicular

Similar words to parallel

Words similar to parallel shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

corresponding
analogous
analogy
match
counterpart
similarity
mirror
resemble
See all synonyms of parallel

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Parallel. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/parallel
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