comparative

adjective

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com·par·a·tive | \ kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv

, -ˈpa-rə- \

Definition of comparative

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

comparative

noun

Definition of comparative (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : one that compares with another especially on equal footing : rival

b : one that makes witty or mocking comparisons

2 : the comparative degree or form in a language The comparative of tall is taller.

Other Words from comparative Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About comparative

Synonyms & Antonyms for comparative

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

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: Adjective In one study, published in 2019, Aditya Nair—then a Michigan State University engineering student and now a full-time engineer—and his team performed a comparative life-cycle assessment between a Blu-ray disc and a Netflix movie. — Doug Johnson, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Illinois has long had one of the highest recurrence rates in the nation, according to comparative data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. — Molly Parker, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2022 According to Barron’s, the testing results topped Merck’s MRK -9.4% (MRK) COVID-19 therapeutic, but no comparative trial was actually conducted. — Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021 Complicating the decision is the fact that the FDA has limited comparative data on which to base their choice, one person familiar with the discussions said. — Stephanie Armour, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2021 Advocates likened the tool to the popular Walk Score and Bike Score websites, which provide comparative measurements of bike- and pedestrian-friendliness on an address-by-address basis across the U.S. — Steven Litt, cleveland, 19 Apr. 2022 With the price of regular unleaded gasoline still in the $4-a-gallon range, the comparative price of premium is kind of a bargain at many stations. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2022 To a great extent these strengths reflect Russia’s comparative advantage in geology and China’s in factory labor. — Greg Ip, WSJ, 18 Mar. 2022 However comparative data suggests that full employment in the VFX sector remained more buoyant than other sectors, such as film production, which stalled during the lockdowns. — Martin Dale, Variety, 30 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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 example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comparative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near comparative

comparatival

comparative

comparative advantage

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Last Updated

12 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for comparative

comparative

adjective

com·par·a·tive | \ kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv

Kids Definition of comparative

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not entirely but more so than others : relative We live in comparative freedom.

2 : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that shows an increase in the quality that the adjective or adverb expresses "Taller" is the comparative form of "tall."

comparative

noun

Kids Definition of comparative (Entry 2 of 2)

: the degree or form in a language that indicates an increase in the quality expressed by an adjective or adverb "Taller" is the comparative of "tall."

comparative

adjective

com·par·a·tive | \ kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv

Medical Definition of comparative

: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities comparative anatomy the study of blood types by comparative analysis

comparative

adjective

com·par·a·tive | \ kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv