to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences

to compare two pieces of cloth; to compare the governments of two nations.

to consider or describe as similar; liken

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Grammar . to form or display the degrees of comparison of (an adjective or adverb).

to be worthy of comparison; be held equal

Dekker's plays cannot compare with Shakespeare's.

to appear in a similar standing

His recital certainly compares with the one he gave last year.

to differ in quality or accomplishment as specified

Their development compares poorly with that of neighbor nations.

to vie; rival.

to make a comparison

The only way we can say which product is better is to compare.

comparison

Her beauty is beyond compare.

compare notes. note ( def. 32 ) .

verb

analyze , approach , balance , bracket , collate , confront , consider , contemplate , contrast , correlate , divide , equal , examine , hang , hold a candle to , inspect , juxtapose , match , match up , measure , observe , oppose , parallel , place in juxtaposition , ponder , rival , scan , scrutinize , segregate , separate , set against , set side by side , size up , stack up against , study , touch , weigh , weigh against anothernotes:compare emphasizes the similarities between or among things , though not losing sight of the differences; contrast emphasizes the differences , allegorize , approximate to , assimilate , bear comparison , be in the same class as , be on a par with , bring near , come up to , compete with , connect , distinguish between , draw parallel , equate , identify with , link , make like , notice similarities , put alongside , relate , resemble , show correspondence , stack up with , standardize , tie up , vienotes:compare emphasizes the similarities between or among things , analogize , identify , correspond , measure up , confer , estimate , evaluate , liken , scale