Meaning

(transitive) To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.
2. (transitive) To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].
3. (transitive, grammar) To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).
4. (intransitive) To be similar (often used in the negative).
5. (obsolete) To get; to obtain.
6. (uncountable) Comparison.
7. (countable, programming) An instruction or command that compares two values or states.
8. (uncountable, obsolete) Illustration by comparison; simile.

Example Sentences

Compare the tiger's coloration with that of the zebra.

You can't compare my problems and yours.

Sophia broke down here. Even at this moment she was subconsciously comparing her rendering of the part of the forlorn bride with Miss Marie Lohr's.

Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

Astronomers have compared comets to dirty snowballs.

Solon compared the people unto the sea, and orators and counsellors to the winds; for that the sea would be calm and quiet if the winds did not trouble it.

And wordy attacks against slavery drew sneers from observers which were not altogether undeserved. The authors were compared to doctors who offered to a patient nothing more than invectives against the disease which consumed him.

We compare "good" as "good", "better", "best".

Word Forms

• compares
• comparing
• compared
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• compare
• comparest
• comparedst
• compareth
• -
• cp.
• comp.
• cmp

Synonyms for compare

Related Words

When Should You Use Compare?

Use compare when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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