as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
if you consider the multimillionaire's yearly income, we're living in comparative poverty
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Recent Examples of comparative
After teaching at the University of Nebraska, Cirillo began pursuing a doctoral degree in comparative language at New York University.
—
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
In short, whereas every other state in America relies on a comparative negligence model to determine liability for who is to blame for a construction accident, New York imposes absolute liability on property owners and contractors no matter what.
—Elizabeth Crowley, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
California has a lot of comparative advantages including Silicon Valley and vibrant financial and biotechnology clusters.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
In the latest study, a comparative analysis found that the Log Coffin populations were genetically distinct from China’s hanging coffin community, reinforcing the theory that similar burial strategies arose independently.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
In short, whereas every other state in America relies on a comparative negligence model to determine liability for who is to blame for a construction accident, New York imposes absolute liability on property owners and contractors no matter what.
—Elizabeth Crowley, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
California has a lot of comparative advantages including Silicon Valley and vibrant financial and biotechnology clusters.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
In the latest study, a comparative analysis found that the Log Coffin populations were genetically distinct from China’s hanging coffin community, reinforcing the theory that similar burial strategies arose independently.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comparative
relative
Adjective
-
During the search for their next head coach, the Steelers interviewed a number of candidates, many of them young assistants in the vein of Noll, Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher, all of whom arrived in Pittsburgh as relative unknowns and left with Super Bowl rings and Hall of Fame-worthy resumes.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Even in the relative seclusion of our home, the world has found us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comparative. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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