compare — English Dictionary

Verb

1. 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.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   set againstweigh againstcollate

   Examples

   Compare the tiger's coloration with that of the zebra.

   You can't compare my problems and yours.

   More examples (2)

   Sophia broke down here. Even at this moment she was subconsciously comparing her rendering of the part of the forlorn bride with Miss Marie Lohr's.

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

2. To declare two things to be similar in some respect [“to compare X to Y”].

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   liken

   Examples

   Astronomers have compared comets to dirty snowballs.

   Solon compared the people unto the sea, and orators and counsellors to the winds; for that the sea would be calm and quiet if the winds did not trouble it.

   More examples (1)

   And wordy attacks against slavery drew sneers from observers which were not altogether undeserved. The authors were compared to doctors who offered to a patient nothing more than invectives against the disease which consumed him.

3. To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   We compare “good” as “good”, “better”, “best”.

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

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   A sapling and a fully-grown oak tree do not compare.

   Shall pack-horses[…]compare with Caesar's?

5. To get; to obtain.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   To fill his bags, and richesse to compare.

Noun

1. Comparison.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   His mighty Champion, ſtrong above compare,

   Their small galleys may not hold compare with our tall ships.

2. An instruction or command that compares two values or states.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   […] including addition and subtraction, memory operations, compares, shifts, logic operations, and condition operations.

   More examples (1)

   2013, Paolo Bruni, Carlos Alberto Gomes da Silva Junior, Craig McKellar, Managing DB2 for z/OS Utilities with DB2 Tools Solution Packs It is always advisable to run a compare between your source and target environments. This should highlight whether there are differences in the lengths of VARCHARs and then the differences can be corrected before you clone.

3. Illustration by comparison; simile.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Rhymes full of protest, of oath, and big compare.

Noun

1. qualities that are comparable

   Synonyms

   comparisonequivalencecomparability

   Broader terms

   likenessalikenesssimilitude

   Examples

   no comparison between the two books

   beyond compare

Verb

1. examine and note the similarities or differences of

   Broader terms

   analyzeanalysestudyexaminecanvass

   Examples

   John compared his haircut to his friend's

   We compared notes after we had both seen the movie

2. be comparable

   Broader terms

   relateinterrelate

   Examples

   This car does not compare with our line of Mercedes

3. consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous

   Synonyms

   likenequate

   Broader terms

   studyconsider

   Examples

   We can compare the Han dynasty to the Romans

   You cannot equate success in financial matters with greed

4. to form the comparative or superlative form on an adjective or adverb

   Broader terms

   inflect