Comparison is a noun that usually means the act of looking at two or more things to see how they are alikeSimilar to each other in one or more ways. or different. It can also mean the relationship between things when they are judged side by sideExamined together to understand their similarities and differences., or the state of being comparableSimilar enough to be meaningfully compared..
Comparison Meaning
looking at things side by side to see what is similar or different
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of examining two or more things to see how they are alike or different
Example: The teacher asked the class to make a comparison between the two stories.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- comparing — A direct match for the act of examining similarities and differences.
Other Meanings of Comparison
Meaning 2
being possible to compare
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the state of being comparable or able to be matched against something else
Example: There was no comparison between the two films.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- comparability — Fits the idea of being able to be compared.
- equivalence — Works only when the sense is about equal value or similarity, not general comparison.
Meaning 3
how two things relate when you compare them
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a relation based on similarities and differences
Example: The study focuses on the comparison between urban and rural life.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- comparability — Can fit when the emphasis is on how things can be related by comparison, though it is less direct than the primary sense.
Comparison Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- comparing
the state of being comparable or able to be matched against something else
- comparability
- equivalence
a relation based on similarities and differences
- comparability
Common Mistakes
- Using compare as a noun synonym; it is usually a verb.
- Using comparison to mean ‘similarity’ in general, when it more often refers to the act or process of comparing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does comparison mean?
Comparison means looking at two or more things side by side to see how they are alike or different. It can also refer to the relationship between things when they are judged this way.
What is a simple synonym for comparison?
A close synonym for the main sense is comparing.
Is compare a synonym of comparison?
Not usually. Compare is mainly a verb, while comparison is a noun.
