as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
if you consider the multimillionaire's yearly income, we're living in comparative poverty
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Recent Examples of comparative
According to Michael Tomasello, a comparative psychologist at Duke University, who was not involved in the new study, chimpanzees are also able to discern ignorance and modify their communication as a result.
—
Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025
Researchers believe those differences come down to the comparative ages of the structures.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
More than 50,000 American buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but only a comparative few, 1,500, are official national historic landmarks; Mar-a-Lago is one of just 19 in Florida.
—Miami Herasld Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
While free trade agreements promise mutual benefits through comparative advantage and open markets, the reality often diverges from this ideal.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comparative 
Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025
Researchers believe those differences come down to the comparative ages of the structures.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
More than 50,000 American buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but only a comparative few, 1,500, are official national historic landmarks; Mar-a-Lago is one of just 19 in Florida.
—Miami Herasld Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
While free trade agreements promise mutual benefits through comparative advantage and open markets, the reality often diverges from this ideal.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comparative
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Cite this Entry
“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comparative. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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