Comparison & Contrast Vocabulary

to place side by side for comparison or contrast

“Juxtapose the two approaches to see their differences.”

Origin: French juxtaposer (from Latin juxta `near` + French poser `to place`)

to recognize or identify what makes things different

“Differentiate between correlation and causation.”

Origin: Latin differentia `difference` (from differre `to carry apart`) + -ate

to recognize or treat as different

“Distinguish between facts and opinions.”

Origin: Latin distinguere `to separate` (from dis- `apart` + stinguere `to prick`)

to compare in a way that shows differences

“Contrast the old system with the new one.”

Origin: Latin contra `against` + stare `to stand`

comparable in certain respects; similar

“This situation is analogous to what happened before.”

Origin: Greek analogos `proportionate` (from ana `according to` + logos `ratio`)

similar or corresponding; equivalent

“Draw a parallel between the two scenarios.”

Origin: Greek parallelos `beside one another` (from para `beside` + allelon `one another`)

equal in value, function, or meaning

“Is there an equivalent term in that context?”

Origin: Latin aequivalere `to be equal in value` (from aequus `equal` + valere `to be worth`)

corresponding in size or degree; proportionate

“The reward should be commensurate with the effort.”

Origin: Latin commensuratus `measured together` (from com- `with` + mensurare `to measure`)

essentially different; distinct in kind

“Reconciling these disparate views will be challenging.”

Origin: Latin disparatus `separated` (from dis- `apart` + parare `to prepare`)

a division into two contrasting things or parts

“The dichotomy between theory and practice is clear.”

Origin: Greek dikhotomia `a cutting in two` (from dikha `in two` + temnein `to cut`)

a subtle difference in meaning or expression

“There's an important nuance you're missing.”

Origin: French nuance `shade of color` (from nuer `to shade` from nue `cloud`)

a lack of compatibility or similarity between things

“Explain the discrepancy between these reports.”

Origin: Latin discrepantia `difference` (from discrepare `to sound differently`)

differing from a standard or from each other

“We have divergent opinions on this issue.”

Origin: Latin divergere `to incline apart` (from dis- `apart` + vergere `to turn`)

coming together from different directions

“Our analyses reached convergent conclusions.”

Origin: Latin convergere `to incline together` (from con- `together` + vergere `to turn`)

equivalent in value, significance, or effect

“Silence is tantamount to agreement.”

Origin: Anglo-Norman tant amunter `to amount to as much` (from Latin tantus `so much`)

in agreement or harmony

“Ensure your actions are congruent with your values.”

Origin: Latin congruere `to come together, agree` (from con- `together` + ruere `to fall`)