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
There are also revealing comparative matchups.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Exploration of hanging coffin customs and the bo people in China through comparative genomics.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In the view of Filipe Campante, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies Brazil and comparative political systems, the young democracy’s institutions prevailed and emerged stronger – but the struggle also laid bare some of the system’s weaknesses.
—Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
For comparative context, the largest free-agent contract in Red Sox history is David Price’s seven-year, $217 million in 2016.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Exploration of hanging coffin customs and the bo people in China through comparative genomics.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In the view of Filipe Campante, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies Brazil and comparative political systems, the young democracy’s institutions prevailed and emerged stronger – but the struggle also laid bare some of the system’s weaknesses.
—Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
For comparative context, the largest free-agent contract in Red Sox history is David Price’s seven-year, $217 million in 2016.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comparative
relative
Adjective
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In that sense, shortages on the Colorado River will have a small relative impact on Queen Creek — likely bringing about three years of higher water rates for residents — but the town is still far from a long-term renewable water supply that can meet its growth potential.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The incredible women in the comments reminded me [that] beauty is relative.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comparative. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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