incomparable

[ in-kom-per-uh-buhl, -pruh-buhl ]

adjective

1. beyond comparison; matchless or unequaled:

   incomparable beauty.

   Synonyms: inimitable, unrivaled, peerless

   Antonyms: mediocre, ordinary

2. not comparable; incapable of being compared to each other, as two unlike objects or qualities, or to one or more others.

incomparable

/ ɪnˈkɒmpərəbəl; -prəbəl /

adjective

1. beyond or above comparison; matchless; unequalled
2. lacking a basis for comparison; not having qualities or features that can be compared

Derived Forms

• inˈcomparably, adverb
• inˌcomparaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• in·compa·ra·bili·ty in·compa·ra·ble·ness noun
• in·compa·ra·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incomparable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word incomparābilis. See in- ³, comparable

Example Sentences

Over his career, Stafford was easily the winningest quarterback in the history of the Lions, one of the NFL’s oldest teams, and the second-best player in franchise history according to AV — trailing only the incomparable Barry Sanders.

From FiveThirtyEight

We’re comparing somewhat incomparable periods with different versions of the virus and different baseline protections in the community.

From Washington Post

With an incomparable endurance base and a much lighter pack to carry, he had a positive and prepared mindset for events like Montana’s Rut Mountain Runs.

From Outside Online

Maybe it’s not fair to compare every ambitious zombie apocalypse game to the incomparable Last of Us, but The Day Before is giving me serious Last of Us vibes.

From Time

What is not so good is using out-of-context or incomparable data for partisan point-scoring.

From Washington Post

X and Y could be terrible on their own, unknowable terms, and therefore incomparable.

From The Daily Beast

There is, of course, a line of work in which Lewinsky has incomparable expertise and experience: that of a crisis PR strategist.

From The Daily Beast

It is this grand and incomparable concept: As God now is, man may become!

From The Daily Beast

They make the best of what they have, and their political savvy is all the more incomparable for it.

From The Daily Beast

When my 21/2 -year-old niece reaches up to hold my hand, it brings me incomparable joy.

From The Daily Beast

But I can assure your Majesty with entire truth that the need of your treasury is so pressing now that it is incomparable.

From Project Gutenberg

Lastly, I wrote out a special Force Order thanking the incomparable 29th.

From Project Gutenberg

He admired Laubs incomparable playing without entering into closer relations with him.

From Project Gutenberg

The encenia, or dedication of the incomparable theatre at Oxford, endowed and founded 1664, by archbishop Selden.

From Project Gutenberg

Should I leave this incomparable flower to wither unseen on these rough mountains?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exceptional
• inimitable
• transcendent
• unmatched
• unparalleled