comparatively
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
used to describe a quality when you compare it to something else.
to a moderate or relative degree when measured against a standard or similar entities.
Simple“The exam was comparatively easy compared to the difficult one we had last month.”
In context“While the initial investment was high, the long-term maintenance costs remained comparatively low, justifying the project's budget to the board.”
Usagetypically placed before an adjective or another adverb to modify its intensity.
Teacher's tipthis is a high-frequency word in academic writing; it is often used as a more formal synonym for 'relatively'.
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage comparatively low
“For clubs accustomed to paying tens of millions for established first-team players, spreading comparatively modest sums across several promising teenagers offers obvious appeal.”
“Until then, she is embracing a comparatively quiet life and enjoying not being recognised in public, adding: “It’s so different [here].”
From comparative + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.