to examine people or things to see how they are similar and how they are different
compare A and B It is interesting to compare their situation and ours.
We compared the two reports carefully.
The internet allows you to compare prices from a variety of companies.
How can you compare the two things? They are so different!
Compare and contrast the characters of Jack and Ralph.
compare A with/to B We compared the results of our study with those of other studies.
My own problems seem insignificant compared with other people's.
I've had some difficulties, but they were nothing compared to yours (= they were not nearly as bad as yours).
Standards in healthcare have improved enormously compared to 40 years ago.
They receive just over three years of schooling, compared to a national average of 7.3.
an increase of over 11% compared to the same period last year
About a third of American adults are obese compared with 24 per cent of Britons
to be similar to somebody/something else, either better or worse
This school compares with the best in the country (= it is as good as them).
This house doesn't compare with our previous one (= it is not as good).
Their prices compare favourably to those of their competitors.
The region's wines compare well with those from elsewhere in Germany.
to show or state that somebody/something is similar to somebody/something else
The critics compared his work to that of Martin Amis.
In her early career she was often compared to Ella Fitzgerald.
Some observers compare the situation to that of the early 1980s.
if two or more people compare notes, they each say what they think about the same event, situation, etc.
We saw the play separately and compared notes afterwards.
Let's compare notes on our experiences.
it is impossible to say that one thing is better than another if the two are completely different
They are both great but you can't compare apples and oranges.
No, you’re trying to compare apples and oranges.
better than anything else of the same kind
a diamond beyond compare
Our professional service promises you a wedding without compare.
