direct comparison

noun phrase
UK /dəˈrɛkt kəmˈpærɪsən/
US /dəˈrɛkt kəmˈpɛrɪsən/

A direct comparison is when you look at two things side by side to see how they are alike or different.

The teacher made a direct comparison between the two stories to show how they were similar.

SYNONYMS

side-by-side comparisonhead-to-head comparisonexplicit comparisonstraight comparison

RELATED WORDS

contrastanalogyevaluationjuxtapositionsimilarity

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In grammar, a direct comparison states a difference or similarity plainly, as with 'more' or 'less' rather than an implied form.

The sentence 'This box is heavier than that one' uses a direct comparison.

3. In law, a direct comparison means judging two things by the same standard without outside factors.

The court made a direct comparison of the two contracts.

4. In science, a direct comparison is a test where two groups are checked against each other under the same conditions.

The scientists did a direct comparison of the two plants' growth.