compare and contrast

American  

[kuhm-pair uhn kuhn-trast] / kəmˈpɛər ən kənˈtræst /

idiom

1. to consider (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in a way that examines both similarities and differences.

   The presentation will compare and contrast the Canadian income tax system with the U.S. system.

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Etymology

Origin of compare and contrast

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

A new era of artificial-intelligence models mean the inevitable race to compare and contrast just how good they are.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

I think it might make sense to compare and contrast the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense a bit.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 2025

They say they can compare and contrast eras since they have lived them — Steiner grew up listening to Scully call games for the Brooklyn Dodgers; Monday played 19 years in the major leagues.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

Watch to see how the two historic days compare and contrast.

From BBC • May 7, 2023

Breaking a song into “chunks” helps exercise children’s cognitive and analytical abilities to understand, compare, and contrast the different parts or phrases of a song.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin