compare contrast
Examine similarities, differences
Compare contrast is the paired action of examining similarities and differences between two or more things.
The phrase names a fundamental analytical method, especially in academic writing: The essay asks you to compare contrast the two poems.
Compare emphasizes likeness; contrast emphasizes distinction.
Together they require examining both.
- apples to orangesPhrase for flawed comparisons
- differenceWay things contrast
- similarityState of being alike
- juxtaposePlace together for contrast
- side by sideAdjacent and parallel
weigh · measure · balance · opposite · parallel · unlike · alike · versus · against · distinction · analogy · mirror · match · diverge · converge · side-by-side · common ground · evaluate
- School Writingbook reports, lab reports, research papers, term papers, thesis
- essay typesthesis, argument, prose poem, reflection, reflective essay
- writingwriting, drafting, authors, author, books
- reading skillsvocabulary, literacy skills, decoding, grammar, fluency
- writing skillshandwriting, spelling, words, letters, writing prompts
- writing stylesformal, informal, minimalism, maximalism, concise
compare contrasttake at face value
Accept without deeper analysis
gloss over · overlook · ignore · disregard · skim
compare contrastconflate
Merge distinct elements
equate · lump together · homogenize · blur · confuse
compare, contrast, comparable, comparative, comparatively, comparison, comparisons, incomparable, contrasting