pale in/by comparison to/with
idiom
: to seem less important, good, serious, etc., when compared with (something else)
The afternoon meal paled in comparison to/with the feast they had later.
Last year's losses pale by comparison with this year's.
Examples of pale in/by comparison to/with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reinsdorf surely knew any negative fan reaction the Bulls would receive for an uninspiring haul for LaVine would pale in comparison with the pounding the Mavericks were taking for dealing Dončić in his prime.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
But those efforts pale in comparison to elaborate beaded outfits made about 5,000 years ago in southwestern Spain.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Yes, those numbers pale in comparison to the dollars government bodies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, pour into disaster assistance.
—William P. Barrett, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
These convictions before federal courts in the District of Columbia, where political opposition to President Trump rates the highest in the country, pale in comparison to 's crimes.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pale in/by comparison to/with 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
But those efforts pale in comparison to elaborate beaded outfits made about 5,000 years ago in southwestern Spain.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Yes, those numbers pale in comparison to the dollars government bodies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, pour into disaster assistance.
—William P. Barrett, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
These convictions before federal courts in the District of Columbia, where political opposition to President Trump rates the highest in the country, pale in comparison to 's crimes.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pale in/by comparison to/with
Dictionary Entries Near pale in/by comparison to/with
Cite this Entry
“Pale in/by comparison to/with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pale%20in%2Fby%20comparison%20to%2Fwith. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share