com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv 
-ˈpa-rə-
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
The comparative form of happy is happier.
The comparative form of clearly is more clearly.
2
: considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative
a comparative stranger
She's a comparative newcomer to the company.
3
: characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
comparatively
adverb
comparativeness
noun
1
b
: one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
2
: the comparative degree or form in a language
The comparative of tall is taller.
Synonyms
Examples of comparative in a Sentence
Adjective
She did a comparative study of classical and modern art.
I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy.
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.”
Noun
“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
One’s critical and comparative faculties can never be fully suspended.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
In recent years, some streaming services like Netflix and Max, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, have begun releasing top 10 lists, but even those are comparative and don’t show detailed viewer numbers.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
Village staff members in March were directed to prepare a report to trustees on the feasibility of increasing all impact fees by 6.5% and then afterward annually pegged to the Consumer Price Index and a comparative analysis with what other, similar communities are charging.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
In that study, Arabidopsis did grow, but not as robustly in the lunar soil as in volcanic ash from Earth used for comparative purposes, suggesting that lunar soil could use a little help to become more fertile.
—Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023
Is this the fate of a couple that’s been together for a long time, or is Angela searching for something specific?
Couples therapy is another comparative framework, come to think of it.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
If her cousin, Nicolas Cage, broke out, guns blazing, as the Sonny of this Hollywood mafia and her brother Roman’s comparative mediocrity has disappointed in the manner of Fredo, Sofia would take over the family business, recruiting her younger Schwartzman cousins for loyal capos.
—Andrew Marzoni, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
The team included researchers from the Sound Communication and Behavior Group at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, which specializes in the comparative analysis of sounds from an assortment of different sound-makers, including birds, bats, and whales.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2023
Pierre Bertrand, WSJ, 25 July 2023
Also known as comparatives, web weaving is a genre of Tumblr post that juxtaposes excerpts and images around a central theme.
—Vivian Lam, WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Soon, the positive reviews of the performance that had yet to take place took a turn toward the comparative.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022
Why this matters: Reports from an independent testing organization like AV-Comparatives are important for the average PC user.
—Ian Paul, PCWorld, 1 Aug. 2017
Other poll comparatives from March fell like dominoes.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 June 2017
See More
Adjective
Following Tuesday’s washout, today was a comparative winner.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
One’s critical and comparative faculties can never be fully suspended.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
In recent years, some streaming services like Netflix and Max, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, have begun releasing top 10 lists, but even those are comparative and don’t show detailed viewer numbers.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
Village staff members in March were directed to prepare a report to trustees on the feasibility of increasing all impact fees by 6.5% and then afterward annually pegged to the Consumer Price Index and a comparative analysis with what other, similar communities are charging.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
In that study, Arabidopsis did grow, but not as robustly in the lunar soil as in volcanic ash from Earth used for comparative purposes, suggesting that lunar soil could use a little help to become more fertile.
—Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023
Is this the fate of a couple that’s been together for a long time, or is Angela searching for something specific?
Couples therapy is another comparative framework, come to think of it.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
If her cousin, Nicolas Cage, broke out, guns blazing, as the Sonny of this Hollywood mafia and her brother Roman’s comparative mediocrity has disappointed in the manner of Fredo, Sofia would take over the family business, recruiting her younger Schwartzman cousins for loyal capos.
—Andrew Marzoni, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
The team included researchers from the Sound Communication and Behavior Group at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, which specializes in the comparative analysis of sounds from an assortment of different sound-makers, including birds, bats, and whales.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2023
Noun
Alstom said Tuesday that first-quarter sales grew while orders fell against a strong prior-year comparative.
—Pierre Bertrand, WSJ, 25 July 2023
Also known as comparatives, web weaving is a genre of Tumblr post that juxtaposes excerpts and images around a central theme.
—Vivian Lam, WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Soon, the positive reviews of the performance that had yet to take place took a turn toward the comparative.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022
Why this matters: Reports from an independent testing organization like AV-Comparatives are important for the average PC user.
—Ian Paul, PCWorld, 1 Aug. 2017
Other poll comparatives from March fell like dominoes.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 June 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comparative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Articles Related to comparative
Dictionary Entries Near comparative
Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
comparative
1 of 2 adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
2
: measured by comparison : relative
a comparative stranger
3
: involving the study of things that are alike by comparing them
comparative anatomy
comparatively
adverb
comparative
2 of 2 noun
: the comparative degree or a word form expressing it
"taller" is the comparative of "tall"
Medical Definition
comparative
adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv
: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
the study of blood types by comparative analysis
Legal Definition
comparative
adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv
: characterized by systematic comparison
comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
comparatively
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on comparative
Nglish: Translation of comparative for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of comparative for Arabic Speakers
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