comparison

noun

com·​par·​i·​son kəm-ˈper-ə-sən How to pronounce comparison (audio)
-ˈpa-rə-
Synonyms of comparison
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
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.
Around one rim, the comparisons read Alice over Bob, Bob over Carol, and Carol over Alice. — Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Nvidia, by comparison, had five clients that were contributing at least 10% of accounts receivable as of July, according to a filing. — Ashley Capoot,jordan Novet,annie Palmer,lora Kolodny,kai Nicol-Schwarz,caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Restricting the agent to routine refunds can be a good decision, provided the comparison includes the harder work left with people. — Swapnil Upganlawar, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Oppenheim dismisses the comparison, saying their series isn’t a conventional documentary. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comparison

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French comparison, from Latin comparation-, comparatio, from comparare — see compare entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comparison was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comparison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparison. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

comparison

noun
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

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