draw a parallel
to say that some features of things are similar, especially things that are actually very different – a rather formal use

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

compare to consider two or more things or people, in order to show how they are similar or different:
Scientists compared the results of both experiments.
The woman’s body was identified by comparing her teeth with dental records.
make/draw a comparison to compare two or more things or people and say how they are similar:
In her article, she makes a comparison between people’s lives now and 50 years ago.
It is possible to draw a comparison between the two poets’ work.
draw an analogy to say that two situations are similar – a rather formal use:
Some people have attempted to draw an analogy between America’s invasion of Iraq and the war in Vietnam.
draw a parallel to say that some features of things are similar, especially things that are actually very different – a rather formal use:
He draws a parallel between football and religion.
Parallels can be drawn between her work and that of Picasso.
contrast verb [transitive] to compare two things, situations etc, in order to show how they are different from each other:
In her novel she contrasts the lives of two families in very different circumstances.
make/draw a distinction between to say that you think two things are very different:
The author draws a distinction between allowing death to occur, and causing it.
It is important to make a distinction between people’s fears about crime and the amount of crime that really happens.
measure somebody/something against somebody/something to compare two people or things, in order to judge which is better, bigger, etc:
As a young actress, she was nervous of being measured against her famous father.
Murray’s progress is often measured against that of Nadal.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

difference a detail, fact, or quality that makes one person or thing different from another:
We should think about the similarities between cultures, not the differences.
⇒ difference between:
Try and spot the differences between these two pictures.
The difference between the two cheeses is that one is made from goat’s milk.
⇒ difference in:
I don’t think there’s any difference in the way you pronounce these two words.
⇒ know the difference:
He’s speaking Italian, not Spanish. Don’t you know the difference?
contrast a very clear difference that you can easily see when you compare two things or people: contrast between something/somebody and something/somebody:
What surprised me was the contrast between Picasso’s early style and his later work.
gap a big difference between two amounts, two ages, or two groups of people: gap between:
There’s a ten-year gap between Kay’s two children.
The gap between rich and poor is wider in the South than in the rest of the country.
⇒ age/gender/income etc gap:
The age gap between us didn’t seem to matter until we decided to have children.
gulf a very big difference and lack of understanding between two groups of people, especially in their beliefs, opinions, and way of life: gulf between somebody and somebody:
More riots led to a growing gulf between the police and the communities in which they worked.
⇒ bridge/cross the gulf (=improve understanding and communication):
The central problem was how to bridge the gulf between the warring factions of the party.
disparity formal a big difference between two groups of people or things – use this especially when you think the difference is unfair or may cause problems: disparity between:
It is not easy to explain the disparity that still exists between the salaries of men and women.
⇒ disparity in:
the disparity in wealth between the highest and the lowest employees
⇒ the economic/income etc disparity:
The economic disparity between the area’s black and white citizens is a serious problem.
compare to consider two or more things or people, in order to show how they are similar or different:
Scientists compared the results of both experiments.
The woman’s body was identified by comparing her teeth with dental records.
make/draw a comparison to compare two or more things or people and say how they are similar:
In her article, she makes a comparison between people’s lives now and 50 years ago.
It is possible to draw a comparison between the two poets’ work.
draw an analogy to say that two situations are similar – a rather formal use:
Some people have attempted to draw an analogy between America’s invasion of Iraq and the war in Vietnam.
draw a parallel to say that some features of things are similar, especially things that are actually very different – a rather formal use:
He draws a parallel between football and religion.
Parallels can be drawn between her work and that of Picasso.
make/draw a distinction between to say that you think two things are very different:
The author draws a distinction between allowing death to occur, and causing it.
It is important to make a distinction between people’s fears about crime and the amount of crime that really happens.
measure somebody/something against somebody/something to compare two people or things, in order to judge which is better, bigger, etc:
As a young actress, she was nervous of being measured against her famous father.
Murray’s progress is often measured against that of Nadal.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

draw a parallel
v. phr. To make a comparison.
It is easy to draw a parallel between the characters of Saint Francis of Assisi and Great Saint Theresa of Aquila, but this doesn't mean that all saints are alike.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲