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 In an essay for the exhibition’s accompanying catalogue, critic Juan Calzadilla compared her work to the vertical forms embraced by the ancient Greeks and by Swiss legend Alberto Giacometti. News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026 His team is now comparing the genetic data of people with different chronotypes to further investigate such factors. Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 July 2026 Garcia, meanwhile, had nothing to compare her first season to, and still sounded a little dazed despite shooting having finished months ago. Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 9 July 2026 Different tabular datasets are also difficult to compare, explains van Breugel, who co-wrote a prescient position paper on this topic in 2024. Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compare
Verb
  • This anxiety often leads to rumination, where individuals endlessly ponder potential outcomes without actual preparation, mistakenly equating thinking with problem-solving.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • For someone who seems to equate being rich with getting respect, money can feel like a familiar friend.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • No deaths have been reported and the source of the cyclospora infections hasn’t been identified.
    Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • Ahead of the law taking effect, SANDAG released a draft map in June identifying which transit stops will be subject to new high-density zoning.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Verb
  • In November, an LLC connected to homebuilder Next Generation Capital bought the property from a family trust, according to the assessor’s office.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Investigators said there was no evidence that the shootings were related.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Even tracks that might have lived elsewhere find their place once a world begins to form around them—a palette of emotional colors that don’t need to match, only to relate.
    Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compare. Accessed 14 Jul. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster