compare
verb (used with object)
to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences.
was comparing
-
past progressiveof compare.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A. I was comparing notes with Adam Chandler, our food columnist and resident expert on food and dining trends, and he has noticed a hypervigilance around what people are serving—from chefs and caterers to influencers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Bessent didn’t say what period he was comparing this year’s refunds to.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026
Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather in a lighter weight was compelling, but they fought only once and when that one ended, nobody was comparing it to death or screaming into a microphone: “Down Goes Manny!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2025
The ASA said customers would generally understand "eat your greens" to mean eating vegetables and that Huel was comparing the cost and nutritional value of its product to green veg.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2024
In the Widener, he had delivered a smashing performance, and everyone was comparing it to Seabiscuit’s extraordinary run in the Santa Anita Handicap.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
