com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv 
-ˈpa-rə-
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
The comparative form of happy is happier.
The comparative form of clearly is more clearly.
2
: considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative
a comparative stranger
She's a comparative newcomer to the company.
3
: characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
comparatively
adverb
comparativeness
noun
1
b
: one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
2
: the comparative degree or form in a language
The comparative of tall is taller.
Synonyms
Examples of comparative in a Sentence
Adjective
She did a comparative study of classical and modern art.
I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy.
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.”
Noun
“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The majority were tasted blind in comparative tastings with similar wines, but some were drunk at dinner with winemakers or opened by friends.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
That said, healthy competition isn't always a negative - other businesses offering comparative products or services locally will likely indicate a demand in the area that could be tapped in to.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Our pick is based on a comparative assessment: A full season of results suggests Gonzaga and Utah State are on the same tier, and Purdue just steamrollered the Aggies (by 39 points).
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
City leaders hope the exchange, a comparative trickle in a stream of funds flowing through government home and infrastructure projects, will help ease the home affordability crisis squeezing many of the city’s residents.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Judith Butler, for many years a professor of rhetoric and comparative literature at UC Berkeley, might be among the most influential intellectuals alive today.
—Katha Pollitt, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
These are consumers who invest in safety studies and comparative research, Consumer Reports noted.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
One risk is that Hong Kong’s comparative business advantage over the mainland could be eroded, said Johannes Hack, the president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Pierre Bertrand, WSJ, 25 July 2023
Also known as comparatives, web weaving is a genre of Tumblr post that juxtaposes excerpts and images around a central theme.
—Vivian Lam, WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Soon, the positive reviews of the performance that had yet to take place took a turn toward the comparative.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022
Why this matters: Reports from an independent testing organization like AV-Comparatives are important for the average PC user.
—Ian Paul, PCWorld, 1 Aug. 2017
Other poll comparatives from March fell like dominoes.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 June 2017
Adjective
Each of the contemporary pieces, anonymously strung like shaky rope bridges between the comparative terra firma of the Bach movements, struggled to cloak the rocky, inhospitable terroir of their respective origins.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The majority were tasted blind in comparative tastings with similar wines, but some were drunk at dinner with winemakers or opened by friends.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
That said, healthy competition isn't always a negative - other businesses offering comparative products or services locally will likely indicate a demand in the area that could be tapped in to.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Our pick is based on a comparative assessment: A full season of results suggests Gonzaga and Utah State are on the same tier, and Purdue just steamrollered the Aggies (by 39 points).
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
City leaders hope the exchange, a comparative trickle in a stream of funds flowing through government home and infrastructure projects, will help ease the home affordability crisis squeezing many of the city’s residents.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Judith Butler, for many years a professor of rhetoric and comparative literature at UC Berkeley, might be among the most influential intellectuals alive today.
—Katha Pollitt, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
These are consumers who invest in safety studies and comparative research, Consumer Reports noted.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
One risk is that Hong Kong’s comparative business advantage over the mainland could be eroded, said Johannes Hack, the president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
Alstom said Tuesday that first-quarter sales grew while orders fell against a strong prior-year comparative.
—Pierre Bertrand, WSJ, 25 July 2023
Also known as comparatives, web weaving is a genre of Tumblr post that juxtaposes excerpts and images around a central theme.
—Vivian Lam, WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Soon, the positive reviews of the performance that had yet to take place took a turn toward the comparative.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022
Why this matters: Reports from an independent testing organization like AV-Comparatives are important for the average PC user.
—Ian Paul, PCWorld, 1 Aug. 2017
Other poll comparatives from March fell like dominoes.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comparative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to comparative
Dictionary Entries Near comparative
Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
comparative
1 of 2 adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
2
: measured by comparison : relative
a comparative stranger
3
: involving the study of things that are alike by comparing them
comparative anatomy
comparatively
adverb
comparative
2 of 2 noun
: the comparative degree or a word form expressing it
"taller" is the comparative of "tall"
Medical Definition
comparative
adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv
: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
the study of blood types by comparative analysis
Legal Definition
comparative
adjective
com·par·a·tive
kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv
: characterized by systematic comparison
comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
comparatively
adverb
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