defies comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defies comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so unique or exceptional that it cannot be compared to anything else. Example: "Her talent in painting defies comparison, making her one of the most celebrated artists of our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Music

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The staggering vastness and variety of China's geography defies comparison with most national landscapes.

Yale University

By John Bainbridge The wall that divides Berlin is hard to visualize, because it defies comparison.

The New Yorker

At other points, From Kinshasa defies comparison, because it doesn't really sound like anything else.

The Guardian - Music

The wall that divides Berlin is hard to visualize, because it defies comparison.

The New Yorker

But Wisdom, who hatched the chick at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean, defies comparison.

The Washington Post

In The New York Times Book Review, Roberta Silman said that this novel, a personal journey that moves through time and space, "obliterates time and defies comparison".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

A cross between old-school blues-jazz divas like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Betty Davis and contemporary R&B influences like Tina Turner, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone (with a bit of Janis Joplin thrown in), Ms. Gray both demands and defies comparisons.

The New York Times

Since launching in 2009, the Kepler spacecraft has revealed 3,601 candidate planets (961 confirmed) comprising an interstellar menagerie: super-Jupiters, super-Earths, mini-Neptunes, and other alien worlds that have defied comparison to those in our own solar system.

Los Angeles Times

On the one hand, the Holocaust is seen as a unique event, defying comparison.

The New York Times - Arts

The supreme early-Renaissance master Piero della Francesca is like no other artist in my experience: not better, exactly, but loftily apart, defying comparison.

The New Yorker

Listed at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson has a body and game that defy comparison — and his extraordinary physique was initially met with some degree of skepticism.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defies comparison" to emphasize the uniqueness of something, ensuring that the context clearly establishes what makes it incomparable. This helps to create a stronger impact on your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "defies comparison" to describe something that is merely very good but not truly exceptional. Overusing this phrase diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defies comparison" functions primarily as a descriptor, indicating that something is so unique or exceptional that it cannot be easily likened to anything else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

9%

Music

6%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Books

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defies comparison" is a descriptor used to emphasize the unique or exceptional nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and the Arts. It serves to highlight that the subject is unparalleled, surpassing conventional metrics. While effective in conveying uniqueness, overuse can diminish its impact. Alternatives include phrases such as "is beyond compare" and "is in a league of its own", which can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is beyond compare

Emphasizes that something is so exceptional it surpasses any possibility of being compared.

is in a league of its own

Highlights that something is superior and separate from others in its category.

is unmatched

Focuses on the lack of equal or similar entities.

is unparalleled

Indicates that something has no parallel or equivalent.

is without equal

Stresses the absence of anything that matches its quality or characteristics.

stands alone

Suggests that something is unique and not part of a group or category.

is singular

Emphasizes the uniqueness and distinctiveness of something.

is peerless

Highlights the lack of peers or equals in terms of quality or ability.

transcends comparison

Suggests the subject rises above the possibility of effective comparison.

exceeds all comparison

Highlights that the subject outstrips anything in its class or in relation to it.

FAQs

How can I use "defies comparison" in a sentence?

Use "defies comparison" to describe something so unique or exceptional that it's difficult to find anything similar to compare it with. For example, "The artist's innovative style "defies comparison", setting him apart from his contemporaries."

What can I say instead of "defies comparison"?

You can use alternatives such as "is beyond compare", "is unmatched", or "is in a league of its own" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "defies comparison"?

When something "defies comparison", it means that it is so unique or outstanding that it's nearly impossible to find anything similar to compare it to. It stands out due to its exceptional qualities or characteristics.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "defies comparison"?

It's appropriate to use "defies comparison" in contexts where something is truly exceptional and stands out significantly from others in its category. This can be in art, nature, accomplishments, or any area where something is uniquely outstanding.