Definition of comparenext
1
as in to equate
to describe as similar reviews that compared the adventure movie to a thrilling ride on a roller coaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to identify
to regard or represent as equal or comparable compared the restaurant's food to the nectar of the gods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word compare distinct from other similar verbs?

The words collate and contrast are common synonyms of compare. While all three words mean "to set side by side in order to show differences and likenesses," compare implies an aim of showing relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic qualities whether similar or divergent.

compared the convention facilities of the two cities

In what contexts can collate take the place of compare?

The meanings of collate and compare largely overlap; however, collate implies minute and critical inspection in order to note points of agreement or divergence.

data from districts around the country will be collated

When might contrast be a better fit than compare?

While the synonyms contrast and compare are close in meaning, contrast implies an emphasis on differences.

contrasted the computerized system with the old filing cards

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compare The bill would not stifle innovation with frontier models, Lieu insisted, comparing the bill to car crash testing in the automotive space. Cj Haddad, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 Prasad defended his decision by arguing that the company didn’t compare its mRNA vaccine’s efficacy to the correct existing vaccine. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026 Around 7 in 10 Americans say extreme heat has had either a major impact or a minor impact on their family’s outdoor activities, compared with about 6 in 10 in 2024. Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Some of those explanations may be straightforward—at least compared with extraterrestrials. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compare
Verb
  • People equate age with credibility, especially in fields like negotiation, where signs of aging are treated as a proxy for trustworthiness.
    Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • People like to knock Nolan’s screenwriting, which is often equated with dialogue.
    Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That partnership has already had a ripple effect, identifying targets who would have otherwise been undetected and resulting in indictments, like the case involving the 13 defendants.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Compare similar positions across different employers to identify patterns.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Damianos also hailed the entry of French investment company Meridiam as a backer to the Great Seas Interconnector project, an electricity cable that will connect Europe’s power grid with that of Cyprus and eventually Israel.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • One of those shell casings was entered into the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which compares shell casings and other evidence and connects them to shootings involving the same firearm.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Edwards, who worked a series of low-wage jobs before being diagnosed with autism at age 24, can relate.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The incident is believed to be mental health related, police said.
    Guy Davies, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compare. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on compare

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!