Contrast & Comparison Vocabulary

to place side by side for comparison or contrast

“The exhibit juxtaposes ancient and modern art.”

Origin: French juxtaposer: from Latin `juxta` (next to) + French `poser` (to place), meaning `to place side by side`

comparable in certain respects

“The situation is analogous to what happened in 2008.”

Origin: Greek analogos: from `ana-` (according to) + `logos` (ratio), meaning `proportionate` or `comparable`

equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as

“His silence was tantamount to an admission of guilt.”

Origin: Anglo-Norman tantamunter: from Latin `tantus` (so much) + `amounter` (to amount to), meaning `equivalent to`

corresponding in size or degree; proportionate

“The salary should be commensurate with experience.”

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

naturally accompanying or associated

“Fame brought concomitant pressures on his privacy.”

Origin: Latin concomitans: from `com-` (together) + `comitari` (to accompany), meaning `accompanying`

a proposition that follows from one already proved

“Economic growth has poverty reduction as a corollary.”

Origin: Latin corollarium: from `corolla` (small garland), originally a gift or gratuity, then `something that follows`

to have a mutual relationship or connection

“Education levels correlate with income.”

Origin: Latin correlatus: from `cor-` (together) + `relatus` (brought back), meaning `mutually related`

directly opposed or contrasted

“His actions were antithetical to his stated values.”

Origin: Greek antithetikos: from `anti-` (against) + `tithenai` (to place), meaning `placed in opposition`

completely; in direct opposition

“Their views are diametrically opposed.”

Origin: Greek diametros: from `dia-` (across) + `metron` (measure), meaning `across the diameter` or `completely opposite`

essentially different in kind; not able to be compared

“The study combined disparate data sources.”

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

not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings

“His formal attire seemed incongruous at the beach.”

Origin: Latin incongruus: from `in-` (not) + `congruere` (to agree), meaning `not agreeing` or `inconsistent`

in a way that seems contradictory but may be true

“Paradoxically, the cure made him feel worse initially.”

Origin: Greek paradoxos: from `para-` (contrary to) + `doxa` (opinion), meaning `contrary to expectation`

apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually

“The meeting was ostensibly about budget, but really about personnel.”

Origin: Latin ostendere: from `ob-` (before) + `tendere` (to stretch), meaning `to show` or `to display`

as appears or is stated to be true

“The document was purportedly written by Shakespeare.”

Origin: Latin purportare: from `pur-` (forward) + `portare` (to carry), meaning `to convey` or `to claim`

used to convey that something is very likely

“Presumably, they will announce the results tomorrow.”

Origin: Latin praesumere: from `prae-` (before) + `sumere` (to take), meaning `to take beforehand` or `to suppose`

it may be argued; possibly

“This is arguably the best decision they've made.”

Origin: Latin arguere: meaning `to make clear` or `to prove`, from which `argue` derives

used to introduce a concession or acknowledgment

“Admittedly, there were some mistakes made.”

Origin: Latin admittere: from `ad-` (to) + `mittere` (to send), meaning `to allow` or `to acknowledge`

used to acknowledge a point before making a counter-argument

“Granted, he's talented, but he lacks discipline.”

Origin: Old French granter: from Latin `credere` (to believe), meaning `to agree` or `to concede`

although; even though

“He accepted the job, albeit with some reluctance.”

Origin: Middle English: from `all be it` (although it be), a contraction meaning `even though it be`

in spite of; nevertheless

“Notwithstanding these concerns, the project continued.”

Origin: Middle English: from `not` + `withstanding` (present participle of withstand), meaning `not opposing`

in a similar way

“The first round was easy; similarly, the second provided no challenge.”

Origin: Latin similis: meaning `like` or `resembling`, from which `similar` derives

in the same way; also

“She is a talented musician; likewise, her brother is an artist.”

Origin: Middle English: from `like` + `wise` (manner), meaning `in a like manner`