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.
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
Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Despite the never-ending wars on crime waged by the producers of Law & Order and CSI, why does the murder rate in the United States dwarf the comparative statistics in all of Western Europe and most of Asia?
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 July 2025
This demonstrates the problem: prices are the result of a huge confluence of factors and easily get conflated into a fuzzy mess of comparatives.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
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Adjective
Meanwhile, comparisons of transport modes highlight rail’s comparative advantage.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Despite the never-ending wars on crime waged by the producers of Law & Order and CSI, why does the murder rate in the United States dwarf the comparative statistics in all of Western Europe and most of Asia?
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Underlying operating profit was down 4.8 percent to 5.8 billion euros in the six months to June 30 due to strong comparatives with the corresponding period last year, the company said.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 July 2025
This demonstrates the problem: prices are the result of a huge confluence of factors and easily get conflated into a fuzzy mess of comparatives.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comparative
Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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