Is there a word for "to make parallel'? [closed]

Solution 1:

To draw a parallel basically means to compare. Other words that can work include relate and connect. In your context, the author is drawing a relationship or a connection between the spider and the man.

(As defined on dictionary.com)

compare - to consider or describe as similar

relate - to bring into or establish association, connection, or relation

connect - to relate or associate

Solution 2:

I tend to prefer this verb for this sort of analogy:

liken - consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous

Though it's not a pure fill-in given the question here. You would generally not use liken with "the" articles attached to both "spider" and "man."

"The author likened the spider to a man," is perfectly acceptable though. Or, if a specific man is being described as spiderlike, the other way around: "the author likened the man to a spider."

Solution 3:

"Compare" is a good replacement. You could also use:

To draw/make/suggest an analogy

Source: Merriam Webster

1 : inference that if two or more things agree with one another in some respects they will probably agree in others

2 a : resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike : similarity

b : comparison based on such resemblance

3 : correspondence between the members of pairs or sets of linguistic forms that serves as a basis for the creation of another form

...

The verb "analogize" exists, but is a bit awkward.