Use compare when bringing out likenesses or similarities (with the preposition to) and when examining two or more objects to find likenesses or differences (with the preposition with).
- One could compare the leaderless team to a ship without a rudder.
- Upon comparing her work plan with that of her colleague, she found that they were very similar.
Use contrast to point out differences.
- In contrast to my statement, his is brief.
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