comparison
noun
com·par·i·son
kəm-ˈper-ə-sən 
-ˈpa-rə-
1
: the act or process of comparing: such as
a
: the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another
His poetry invites comparison with the poems of Robert Frost.
b
: an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities
His faults seem minor by comparison.
a comparison of the sports cars
2
: identity of features : similarity
several points of comparison between the two
3
: the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation
Examples of comparison in a Sentence
a comparison of the data from the two studies
the comparison of monkeys to humans
I don't think comparisons of her situation and mine are appropriate.
Recent Examples on the Web
By comparison, a newborn human brain is roughly the size of an adult great ape’s brain.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
For comparison, unused data remaining on RedPocket or Tello plans generally expires at the end of the month.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
On the backdrop of a contentious presidential election and with some of the Bay Area’s local and congressional races drawing national attention, the West Valley’s local races were quiet by comparison.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In the 20th century, by comparison, the Sphinx vanished just three times.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comparison 
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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
For comparison, unused data remaining on RedPocket or Tello plans generally expires at the end of the month.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
On the backdrop of a contentious presidential election and with some of the Bay Area’s local and congressional races drawing national attention, the West Valley’s local races were quiet by comparison.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In the 20th century, by comparison, the Sphinx vanished just three times.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comparison
Dictionary Entries Near comparison
Cite this Entry
“Comparison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparison. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
comparison
noun
com·par·i·son
kəm-ˈpar-ə-sən
1
: the act of comparing : the state of being compared
2
: change in the form of an adjective or an adverb (as by having -er or -est added or more or most prefixed) to show different levels of quality, quantity, or relation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share