compare

noun

(uncountable) Comparison.

(countable, programming) An instruction or command that compares two values or states.

(uncountable, obsolete) Illustration by comparison; simile.

verb

(transitive) To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.

(transitive) To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].

(intransitive) To be similar (often used in the negative).

(transitive, grammar) To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).

(obsolete) To get; to obtain.

Roots

parpar- · Latin · equal, peer

Synonyms for compare

likenv analogizev contrastn juxtaposev correlatev examinev resemblev relatev collatev

Synonyms & related words for compare

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of compare — including liken, analogize, contrast, juxtapose, correlate, examine. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to compare

Explore words related to compare — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include comparison, comparer, comparability, equate, comparable, equatable, syncrisis, comparative. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for compare

Common synonyms for compare include liken, analogize, contrast, juxtapose, correlate, examine, resemble, relate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does compare come from?

The word compare breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root par-, from Latin par (“equal, peer”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.