Compare vs. Contrast
Main DifferenceThe main difference between compare and contrast is that ‘compare’ means to represent things or objects in respect to similarity and ‘contrast’ means to represent things in respect of differences.
Difference Between Compare and Contrast
Compare vs. Contrast
Compare means to see the similarity conversely contrast means to see the difference.
Compare vs. Contrast
Compare is used with two different things on the flip side contrast is used with two similar things
Compare vs. Contrast
Compare means to represent things or objects in respect of similarity whereas contrast means to represent things in respect of differences.
Compare vs. Contrast
Compare looks at both similarities and differences on the other hand contrast only looks at the differences.
Compare vs. Contrast
Compare is a verb only, and contrast is both a noun and a verb.
Compareverb
(transitive) 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.
Compare the tiger's coloration with that of the zebra.You can't compare my problems and yours.Contrastnoun
(countable) A difference in lightness, brightness and/or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.
Compareverb
(transitive) To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].
Astronomers have compared comets to dirty snowballs.Contrastnoun
(uncountable) The degree of this difference.
The red and the orange don't have much contrast between them — I can hardly tell them apart.Compareverb
To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).
We compare "good" as "good", "better", "best".Contrastnoun
(countable) A control on a television, etc, that adjusts the amount of contrast in the images being displayed.
Compareverb
(intransitive) To be similar (often used in the negative).
A sapling and a fully-grown oak tree do not compare.Contrastnoun
(countable) A difference between two objects, people or concepts.
Israel is a country of many contrasts.Compareverb
(obsolete) To get; to obtain.
Contrastnoun
Antithesis.
Comparenoun
comparison
Contrastverb
(transitive) To set in opposition in order to show the difference or differences between.
Comparenoun
illustration by comparison; simile
Contrastverb
(intransitive) To form a contrast.
Foreground and background strongly contrast.Comparenoun
qualities that are comparable;
no comparison between the two booksbeyond compareContrastnoun
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared;
in contrast toby contrastCompareverb
examine and note the similarities or differences of;
John compared his haircut to his friend'sWe compared notes after we had both seen the movieContrastnoun
the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
Compareverb
be comparable;
This car does not compare with our line of MercedesContrastnoun
a conceptual separation or demarcation;
there is a narrow line between sanity and insanityCompareverb
consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous;
We can compare the Han dynasty to the RomansYou cannot equate success in financial matters with greedContrastnoun
the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors
Compareverb
to form the comparative or superlative form on an adjective or adverb
Contrastnoun
the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)
Contrastverb
put in opposition to show or emphasize differences;
The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest studentContrastverb
to show differences when compared; be different;
the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilitiesComparison Chart
| Compare | Contrast |
| ‘Compare’ means to look for the qualities of something to discover similarities or differences. | Contrast means to look for the qualities of something to discover only dissimilarities. |
| Grammatical Category | |
| Verb | Noun and verb |
| Used With | |
| Different things | Similar things |
| Refers To | |
| Similarities and differences | Differences |
| Signal Words | |
| Alike, as well as, compared with, same as, similar to, etc. | Different from, in contrast, more than, less than, etc. |
Compare vs. Contrast
The word compare derives from the Latin word ‘comparable,’ which means ‘to compare.’ The word contrast derives from the Latin words ‘contra’ and ‘stare,’ which means ‘against’ and ‘to stand.’ Compare is a verb. Contrast is both a noun and a verb. Compare is to examine the qualities or character of something to discover similarities or differences. Contrast means to examine the qualities or character of something to discover the differences only. If you are looking at the similarities between two objects or things, then you may be comparing the two. On the other hand, If you aim at the dissimilarity between two things or objects, then you may be contrasting the two. Compare is used to demonstrate the respective values of an object in its qualities. Contrast is used to look for differences between two or more elements. While comparing two objects or things, one can see the different views which could make one better than the other. Contrast reveals the opposition or dissimilarity of two things. Compare looks like an element from the perspective of its similarity as well as dissimilarity. Contrast only analyze an element in the perspective of its dissimilarity. When you compare two things, you focus on the similar aspects of the subjects in perspective. Contrast aims to reveal the deviation or differences between the two. Furthermore, compare is commonly used with two different things. The term contrast is commonly used for stating differences between two similar things.
What is Compare?
Compare is derived from the Latin comparable “to liken, to compare.” Compare means to look for the character or qualities of something, specifically to discover similarities or differences. So, when comparing two things, both similarities and differences are examined. However, when you compare something to another thing, you are referring to the similarities of that thing. If you are comparing a girl to a flower, you are looking at the similarities between the two of them. We also go for the term compare when we are looking at the similarities between two dissimilar things. The comparison of two things or objects gives the divergent view which could make one better than the other. To compare is to look at two things and see how they are similar and different. It examines people or things to see how they are alike and how they are different. It also shows the likeness between two dissimilar things, ideas or persons.
Examples
- Poets have compared sleep to death.
- I compared many cars before choosing this.
- Her beauty is compared to the rose.
What is Contrast?
Contrast is derived from the Latin contra, “against” plus stare, “to stand.” Contrast is both a noun and a verb. Contrast means to look for the opposition or dissimilarity of things. Contrast only looks for the differences between two or more things. The verb contrast refers to compare two things to point out the differences. Therefore, the main aim of contrasting two things is to find out the differences between them. It refers to differences for similar objects. It aims at looking for differences between two or more elements.
Examples
- They contrasted her with her father.
- Contrast the Romantic music and Classical music.
- His actions contrasted sharply with her promises.
- Her photos revealed how much weight she lost by contrasting the “before” and “after” shots.
ConclusionCompare and contrasts are the terms which are seen in most writings to compare and contrast between the things and the concepts.
