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comparison

/kəmˈpɛrəsən/

/kəmˈpærɪsən/

Other forms: comparisons

When you make a comparison, you figure out how things are similar.

Making comparisons is about taking a look at characteristics or qualities that show the similarities between living things, objects, or anything else. In the supermarket, people make comparisons based on price and ingredients. Lots of essays and articles make comparisons: between different politicians, bands, movies, athletes, and even whole era. Many teachers ask students to write comparisons in essays. If two things are totally different, you could say "There's no comparison!"

Definitions of comparison
  1. noun
    the act of examining resemblances
    “they made a comparison of noise levels”
    “the fractions selected for comparison must require pupils to consider both numerator and denominator”
    synonyms: comparing
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    types:
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    likening
    the act of comparing similarities
    analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
    collation
    careful examination and comparison to note points of disagreement
    confrontation
    a focussed comparison; bringing together for a careful comparison
    contrast
    the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
    type of:
    examination, scrutiny
    the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
  2. noun
    relation based on similarities and differences
    see moresee less
    types:
    imaginative comparison
    the kind of mental comparison that is expressed in similes or metaphors or allegories
    type of:
    relation
    an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
  3. noun
    qualities that are comparable
    “no comparison between the two books”
    synonyms: comparability, compare, equivalence
    see moresee less
    type of:
    alikeness, likeness, similitude
    similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
Pronunciation
US

/kəmˈpɛrəsən/

UK

/kəmˈpærɪsən/

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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘comparison'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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