comparable
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for comparable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Similar enough to something else that a meaningful comparison can be made.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use comparable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
comparable to
roughly comparable
directly comparable
Etymology
From Latin comparabilis, from comparare ("to compare").
Full origin of comparable →Frequently asked questions
What does “comparable” mean?
The word “comparable” means similar enough to something else that a meaningful comparison can be made. In plain terms, similar enough to stand up to comparison.
How do you pronounce “comparable”?
“Comparable” is pronounced KOM-puh-ruh-buhl (/ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “comparable” in a sentence?
Here is “comparable” used in a sentence: “The two job offers were comparable in salary but not in benefits.”
What part of speech is “comparable”?
“Comparable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “comparable” come from?
The word “comparable” comes from Latin. From Latin comparabilis, from comparare ("to compare").
Is “comparable” a common word?
“Comparable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between comparable and similar?
Similar simply means alike in some way. Comparable means alike enough that a meaningful comparison can be made, and it often implies being roughly equal in size, status, or quality — two "comparable salaries" are not just similar in kind but close in amount.
Is it comparable to or comparable with?
Both are standard. Traditional guidance says "comparable to" asserts likeness ("a result comparable to last year's"), while "comparable with" suggests two things are worth examining side by side. In modern usage "comparable to" is far more common and is acceptable in almost all contexts.
What are comparables in real estate?
In real estate, comparables — often shortened to "comps" — are recently sold properties similar enough to the one being valued that a meaningful price comparison can be made. Agents and appraisers use them to estimate what a home should sell for.
What is the opposite of comparable?
Dissimilar covers the plain sense of not being alike enough to compare. Incomparable is the direct negative form, but note its usual meaning is "so outstanding as to be beyond comparison" — calling something incomparable is normally praise, not a neutral statement that two things differ.
